An Italian human rights activist has alerted the International Criminal Court (ICC) after discovering that his phone was hacked while providing confidential information about Libya’s torture victims.
The attack, confirmed by Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, occurred while David Yambio, founder of Refugees in Libya, was in communication with ICC officials in The Hague. Researchers confirmed at least one spyware attack took place in June 2024.
Yambio immediately notified the ICC, urging its members to check their devices for possible spyware infections.
While the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor declined to comment, the revelation raises serious concerns that a government-linked entity with access to military-grade spyware may have sought to interfere with ICC proceedings related to Libya’s human rights violations.
This comes as Italy faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of Libya-related cases, especially after Italian authorities released Osama Najim (Al-Masri), a Libyan militia leader wanted by the ICC for war crimes.
Najim, who runs the Mitiga detention center in Tripoli, has been accused of overseeing torture, arbitrary detentions, and human rights abuses against migrants, refugees, and political dissidents. Despite his arrest in Rome, he was unexpectedly released and flown back to Libya, triggering diplomatic backlash.
The spyware used against Yambio and other activists has been linked to Paragon Solutions, an Israeli surveillance technology firm now owned by a U.S. financial investor. Researchers confirmed that Paragon’s spyware, Graphite, was embedded in WhatsApp and other apps, allowing remote access to encrypted messages and live phone calls.
The Italian government admitted to being a client of Paragon Solutions but denied responsibility for the spyware attack on activists and journalists. Following international pressure, Paragon suspended its contract with Italy, citing violations of its policy prohibiting the targeting of civil society figures.
This latest spyware scandal raises serious concerns over potential digital espionage interfering with international investigations into Libya’s war crimes. The targeting of an ICC informant handling sensitive testimonies on Libya’s torture victims suggests deliberate efforts to obstruct justice.
