According to the 2023 Annual National Security Report, published recently by the Iberiancounterintelligence agency, Morocco is not interfering in Spain’s domestic affairs.
Despite the persistent accusations leveled againstMorocco, the report made no mention or reference to Morocco as being involved in alleged spyingoperations.
The Popular Party and Vox allege that Moroccanhacking in 2021 influenced Sanchez’s support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. A PopularParty senator reiterated this claim during a heatedexchange with Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares on last Tuesday.
In June 2022, the Spanish officials ruledout Moroccan involvement in hacking the phones of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Defence MinisterMargarita Robles, and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
The report also supports the testimony of senior Spanish intelligence executives on November 28, 2022 before a European Parliament committeeresponsible for investigating the use of Israel’sPegasus spyware.
The report’s conclusions likely disappoint those whopreviously accused Morocco of espionage. Spanishjournalists who reported these allegations may nowface the challenge of reconciling their claims with the official report.
Overall, the Spanish National Security Report suggests a cooperative relationship between Spain and Morocco on security matters.
