The president of the Italian-based
NGO Refugees in Libya, David Yambio, on Tuesday asked the
Italian government for protection after he was allegedly
tortured by Libyan general Osama Almasri and allegedly targeted
by the Paragon spyware.
"I think Italy is responsible for the torture I endured in
Libya, for financing Libyan authorities, the coast guard.
"I was also spied on by Paragon, so I am asking the Italian
government to clarify who was responsible and to defend me in
the meantime.
"My life is at stake with that of my family and many others",
said Yambio, who was at the European Parliament on Tuesday to
attend a press conference to call for the European Union's
support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has
been under pressure over US sanctions against the international
body.
The Italian government has faced pressure to explain its
relationship with the spyware maker Paragon, which is reported
to exclusively work with state entities.
Media reports have said the company cut ties with Rome after the
technology was used to hack the mobile phones of users including
a journalist and an activist.
The government has said that seven mobile phone users in the
country have been targeted but denied any involvement.
The cabinet has also come under fire over the release and flight
back home of Almasri, two days after he was arrested in Turin on
January 19 on an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity and war
crimes allegedly committed in Libya since February 2015.
"I have always been ready, as president of the association
Refugees in Libya, to provide all the information in my
possession, the evidence of torture, to the Italian government,
to cooperate and find those responsible for these grave crimes
against humanity.
"Now, however, I don't know what to think", he said, adding the
he was "aware that this type of hacking is operated by
governments".
"The executive tells me they know nothing, so I have no idea, I
hope I'll get help and protection now that I live in Italy",
concluded Yambio.
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