New evidence uncovered by Amnesty International and Forbidden Stories has revealed that Rwandan authorities used NSO Group’s spyware to potentially target more than 3,500 activists, journalists and politicians. It was also used to infect the phone of Carine Kanimba, Paul Rusesabagina’s daughter, of Hotel Rwanda fame. The investigation today revealed that the Rwandan authorities have selected more than 3,500 phone numbers of activists, journalists, political opponents, foreign politicians, and diplomats to target with NSO Pegasus spyware since 2016. The investigation also found that the phones of Paul Rusesabagina’s daughter, Carine Kanimba, who lives in Belgium, and several of his associates were targeted with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. Rusesabagina, of Hotel Rwanda fame, is currently detained in prison in Kigali where he faces life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges. Israeli surveillance company NSO Group has been bankrolled by money from major private equity firms Novalpina Capital and Francisco Partners, with numerous investors behind them. Pension firms in the UK and US also have a stake in the rights abusing company.
SOURCE:AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL