Catalan leaders targeted using NSO spyware, say cybersecurity experts

Victims said to include Pere Aragones and Carles Puigdemont, but Israeli firm suggests claims are false

Dozens of pro-independence Catalan figures, including the president of the north-eastern Spanish region and three of his predecessors, have been targeted using NSO Group's Pegasus spyware, according to a report from cybersecurity experts.

The research published on Monday by Citizen Lab, considered among the world's leading experts in detecting digital attacks, said victims of the mobile phone targeting included Pere Aragones, who has led Catalonia since last year, as well as the former regional presidents Quim Torra, Carles Puigdemont and Artur Mas.