Belgrade University Rector Targeted by Pegasus Spyware
Digital rights groups confirm surveillance of academic leadership amid ongoing Serbian political protests.
1Targeted Academic Leadership
Digital rights group Citizen Lab confirmed with high confidence that the phone of Belgrade University Rector Vladan Djokic was infected with Pegasus spyware in 2026. This incident occurred while Djokic maintained a prominent role supporting student-led protests against the government. He publicly characterized the breach as a serious attack on his personal security.
2Surveillance Mechanism Explained
Pegasus, developed by NSO Group, functions through sophisticated zero-click attacks that require no interaction from the device owner. Once installed, the software grants operators full access to messages, location tracking, and the ability to activate microphones or cameras. This technology is officially marketed for combating terrorism and serious criminal activity.
3Broader Pattern of Intimidation
The infection of the rector's phone follows reports from September identifying at least 14 other activists and students targeted by similar spyware. These digital attacks coincide with a tense political climate in Serbia, where student movements have faced repeated detentions and allegations of foreign-backed efforts to destabilize the current government administration.
4Prosecutorial Oversight Investigation
Beyond the university, authorities are investigating whether associate prosecutor Rade Bajic was also targeted. Bajic received an Apple Threat Notification in August after working on corruption cases involving a real estate project linked to Jared Kushner. He was subsequently replaced, highlighting the intersection of digital surveillance and high-stakes legal investigations.
5Context of Civil Unrest
Public protests in Serbia intensified following a tragic train station canopy collapse in November 2024 that killed 16 people. Students demand accountability for alleged negligence during renovation work. The government has faced significant pressure as faculty blockades continue, with police raiding the rector's offices in March under the guise of investigations.
6International Regulatory Stance
The U.S. Commerce Department blacklisted NSO Group in November 2021 due to evidence that foreign governments utilized their technology to target journalists, activists, and officials. This designation restricts the Israeli company's access to American goods and technology, reflecting global concerns regarding the misuse of commercial spyware against members of civil society.
7Government Response Status
Serbian authorities have provided no immediate comment regarding the specific allegations of spyware usage against the rector. Historically, the government has denied involvement in such digital attacks since they were first reported in 2024. Meanwhile, student groups allege that their internal communications are being actively monitored ahead of upcoming major rallies.
8Implications for Digital Rights
The SHARE Foundation warns that without effective investigations and clear accountability, digital repression risks spreading across all sectors of Serbian society. The normalization of unlawful surveillance threatens to silence critical voices and undermine democratic processes. Future developments depend on whether independent forensic analysis can force transparency regarding these sophisticated cyber intrusions.
Original article: ABC News: Technology — Belgrade University Rector Targeted by Pegasus Spyware