Slovakia"s Fico denies Pegasus spyware purchase allegations

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has publicly denied allegations regarding the acquisition of the Pegasus spyware by his government, labeling the claims as 'nonsensical.' This denial follows a report from Denník N, which stated that the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) had moved the controversial spyware from a testing phase to full operation in September. The Pegasus system, known for its invasive capabilities, has raised concerns due to its use against pro-democracy figures and journalists in other nations. Fico's government has faced skepticism from experts, particularly Juraj Krúpa, a defense and security analyst from the opposition Freedom and Solidarity party. Krúpa asserts that multiple independent sources have confirmed the acquisition of Pegasus, leading to distrust in Fico's administration. He emphasizes that the potential misuse of such technology against journalists and political opponents is a significant concern. In response to the allegations, Fico stated that the SIS and various ministries are working on legal measures to prevent the acquisition of similar surveillance systems in Slovakia. However, Krúpa doubts the effectiveness of these proposed legislative changes, arguing that they merely aim to ban Pegasus while ignoring other comparable technologies that could infringe on privacy rights. The situation is further complicated by the absence of a chairperson for the parliamentary committee overseeing the SIS, following the dismissal of former justice minister Mária Kolíková. This vacancy raises questions about the oversight and accountability of intelligence operations in Slovakia, particularly in light of the ongoing allegations.