New IRA linked group Saoradh ‘being tracked’ by Israeli-designed spyware

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/new-ira-linked-group-saoradh-being-tracked-by-israeli-designed-spyware/a1085176480.html

Saoradh has claimed its members are being tracked with Israeli-designed spyware that can activate mobile phone cameras even when the device is off.
The group — widely believed to have links to the New IRA — said Pegasus software had been found on devices owned by a number of its people.
The group — widely believed to have links to the New IRA — said Pegasus software had been found on devices owned by a number of its people.
Security expert Philip Ingram told the Belfast Telegraph this was used by governments in the Middle East, not MI5.
He added that if Saoradh had attracted the attention of any of the countries that do us it, “they’re screwed”.
Mr Ingram explained: “If they’re being tracked by Pegasus, it is not MI5 because the British don’t use it.
“It is very sophisticated spyware and not cheap to get the licence. It gives complete access to a phone, even if switched off — and that’s just the software we know about.
“If a government agency wanted to track someone and not have fingerprints go back to that agency, this is the way to do it.
“It could be the Saudis, it could be UAE, it could be the Egyptians [tracking them].
“They are all paranoid about anyone with links to that region, and [Saoradh’s] associations with Palestinians and potentially Hamas put them in that category.
“If they are on those countries’ radars, they’re screwed because if they or their families go into any of these countries and get arrested, they will be begging to be in the hands of MI5.”
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Instant messenger platforms including WhatsApp and Signal use encryption technology that scrambles messages and unscrambles them only on recipients’ phones.
While popular with users, law enforcement agencies see encryption as a barrier in crime and terror investigations.
MI5, and numerous other intelligence agencies around the world, use spyware to overcome encryption.
Saoradh said its members had been notified they were are being tracked with technology designed by the Israelis and used against that country’s enemies.
Pegasus can be used to covertly gain access to everything on a mobile phone, including files, the camera and microphone.
The company which owns the technology says it sells Pegasus only to governments and only for the purposes of tracking criminals and terrorists. It is not sold for commercial use.
Covert surveillance is separated into two categories under UK law.
One is direct surveillance, which is carried out by intelligence operatives in the field who may work in vehicles, on foot or from fixed observation posts.
The second is intrusive surveillance, which involves the covert monitoring of targets, using eavesdropping and tracking devices in residential premises, phones and private vehicles.
This requires a warrant under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and authorisation either by the secretary of state for Northern Ireland or the home secretary.
Saoradh said that in recent days at least three people, including the son of a well-known republican prisoner, had received notifications they were being tracked by “state-sponsored” surveillance agencies.
It claimed these individuals had been sent emails saying their iPhones may have been targeted.
The email says: “These attackers are likely targeting you because of who you are.”
Members of Saoradh have been subject to both direct and intrusive surveillance by MI5 in the past.
There are currently 10 people facing serious terrorism charges as part of Operation Arbacia, a joint sting by MI5 and the PSNI.
This involved the use of double agent Dennis McFadden, who infiltrated the group and organised two meetings in Co Tyrone that were bugged by the security services.
Among those charged is Palestinian doctor Issam Bassalat.
He had previously spoken at a Saoradh annual conference and was present at one of the meetings bugged by MI5.
The doctor, who was living in Scotland and working as a GP, claims he was entrapped by McFadden, who is alleged to have told him he would be speaking at a party meeting to update Saoradh members on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He had previously spoken at numerous events in Europe highlighting the plight of the people of Gaza.
However, the prosecution claims he accompanied Kevin Murphy, who according to the Crown was the leader of the New IRA, on trips to the Middle East, including to Beirut.
During a previous bail hearing, it was said that the group discussed bombing Shannon airport — used by the US military —to gain favour with armed groups in the Middle East.
These allegations are said to have brought the New IRA to the attention of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency.

by LoveLaughLarne