David Yambio, a human rights activist supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) with evidence of migrant abuse in Libya, has revealed that Apple warned him about a spyware attack on his phone. Yambio, who co-founded Refugees in Libya, has been vocal about Italy’s migrant policies and the controversial release of Osama Najim, a Libyan police chief accused of war crimes, including torture and enslavement.
Yambio was detained at Mitiga prison near Tripoli, where he allegedly suffered abuse under Najim’s watch. His case follows reports that an Italian journalist and two activists critical of Italy’s dealings with Libya were among 90 people targeted with spyware, allegedly produced by Israeli company Paragon Solutions. Paragon later severed ties with Italy for breaching its contract terms.
On November 13, Apple informed Yambio of a “mercenary spyware attack” attempting to compromise his iPhone, though the type of spyware used remains unclear. Seeking support, Yambio contacted CyberHub-AM in Armenia, which linked him to the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto. Citizen Lab is now investigating the case, raising concerns about the political implications of the attack.
Yambio suspects the attack is linked to his advocacy against Italy’s migrant deal with Libya, which funds the Libyan coastguard to intercept migrants at sea. He has lived under constant threat since September, experiencing unusual phone behavior such as dropped calls and rapid battery depletion.
Paragon and NSO Group, both known for developing spyware, have faced scrutiny for allegedly enabling governments to target activists and journalists. The Italian government has denied involvement, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office rejecting claims that domestic intelligence services were responsible.
Yambio continues to seek accountability and will attend a European Parliament press conference regarding Najim’s release. The ICC has demanded an explanation from Italy for allowing Najim’s return to Tripoli despite an international arrest warrant.
The Italy-Libya migrant pact, first signed in 2017 and repeatedly renewed, has been condemned by human rights groups for enabling migrant abuse. Yambio, originally from South Sudan, fled Libya after escaping Mitiga prison, later reaching Italy by boat and receiving asylum in 2022.