⚖️🕵️‍♂️ Barcelona court charges former Guardia Civil and CNI chiefs in Pegasus espionage case

Oneliner

A Barcelona court has charged former Guardia Civil directors Félix Azón and María Gámez, along with former CNI director Paz Esteban, in a landmark case involving illegal espionage using Pegasus and Candiru spyware. The charges stem from allegations that these officials surveilled pro-independence figures, raising serious concerns about public integrity and the misuse of state resources. The investigation, initiated by a complaint from the Sentinel Alliance, has prompted calls for greater transparency in state surveillance practices.

Key points

• Two former directors of the Guardia Civil and the ex-director of the CNI face charges for illegal espionage.
• The charges stem from allegations of surveillance against pro-independence figures using Pegasus and Candiru spyware.
• The case has raised significant concerns about public integrity and the misuse of state resources.
• The investigation began following a complaint from the Sentinel Alliance, representing affected individuals.

Links

• ABC: Un juzgado de Barcelona imputa a dos exdirectores de la Guardia Civil por el espionaje con Pegasus
• Europa Press: Imputados dos exdirectores de la Guardia Civil y la exdirectora del CNI por el 'caso Pegasus'
• El Mundo: Imputan por primera vez a dos ex directores de la Guardia Civil por el espionaje al entorno independentista
• ABC: La CUP y Òmnium recurren ante el TC el archivo del caso de la policía infiltrada en movimientos independentistas de Gerona

Facts

• Charges were filed on 9 February 2026.
• The investigation began in September 2025 following a complaint from the Sentinel Alliance.
• Félix Azón served as head of the Guardia Civil from June 2018 to January 2020, followed by María Gámez until March 2023.
• The Pegasus spyware is developed by the NSO Group, which is also implicated in the case.

Quotes

• Charges against high-ranking officials for alleged illegal espionage highlight serious integrity issues. — Judge of the Barcelona Court
• The reported acts could constitute the crimes of discovery and disclosure of computer secrets and illegal access to computer systems. — Court filing

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