A Moroccan intelligence insider has revealed details about his government’s use of hacking software, including Israeli-manufactured Pegasus spyware, to track journalists, human right defenders and foreign officials.

The whistleblower's revelations were reported in an investigation published on Thursday by Forbidden Stories, Amnesty and 13 media organisations.

Investigative reporting in 2021 accused Morocco of having used the Israeli-manufactured hacking tool for spying on its critics as well as allies - claims that Rabat denied at the time.

The former Moroccan intelligence officer said he had been witness to much of Morocco's relationship with Pegasus, from its introduction to Moroccan officials to its utilisation.