The Citizen Lab organization, in cooperation with the SHARE Foundation, has confirmed two new cases of targeting with advanced spyware. This time, the targets are Professor Vladan \u0110oki\u0107, rector of the University of Belgrade, and Rade Baji\u0107, a senior prosecutorial associate at the Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office for Organized Crime, the foundation announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the foundation, a forensic analysis confirmed that Professor \u0110oki\u0107\u2019s phone was infected in 2026 with Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, through a \u201c0-click\u201d attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following these findings, the rector of the University of Belgrade, Prof. Dr. Vladan \u0110oki\u0107, also issued a statement, which we reproduce in full:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Citizen Lab organization, in cooperation with the SHARE Foundation, has confirmed that spyware was found on my mobile phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This discovery points to a serious attack on my privacy, security, and the integrity of my position as rector. The Pegasus spyware on my phone is yet another attempt at intimidation aimed at preventing any critical views and public engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I demand that the competent authorities conduct an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation without delay, determine who installed and used the spyware, and inform the public of the investigation\u2019s findings. Those responsible must be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nsvg<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This is not just an attack on me personally and on me as rector of the University of Belgrade, but also a threat to the privacy of data concerning my contacts and communications. As a result, all of them are also targets of the abuse of surveillance technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The University must remain a space for free thought, critical dialogue, and institutional autonomy. Any attempt to intimidate or monitor its representatives constitutes an attack on the entire academic community and democratic society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I call on the public, the academic community, and international organizations to insist on full accountability from the competent authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is recalled that Rector \u0110oki\u0107 is one of the prominent figures in Serbia\u2019s pro-democracy movement, known for his support for student protests and his commitment to preserving university autonomy despite growing pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In August 2026, Rade Baji\u0107, a senior prosecutorial associate who worked on the \u201cGeneral Staff\u201d case, in which the prosecution raised the issue of criminal liability among state officials, received an official notification from Apple indicating that, with a high degree of confidence, he had been targeted in an attack involving so-called mercenary spyware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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