{"publisher":{"name":"MediaBias News","url":"https://mediabias.news","methodology":"https://mediabias.news/methodology","editorialPrinciples":"https://mediabias.news/editorial-principles","corrections":"https://mediabias.news/corrections"},"scoreGuide":{"trust":"How well corroborated and evidenced the source reporting is. 0-100, higher is better.","critic":"Craft quality of the source journalism: context, balance, fact vs comment. 0-100, higher is better.","hype":"How far the source presentation runs ahead of substance. 0-100, LOWER IS BETTER.","scope":"Scores assess the original reporting this article was written from, not the truth of the underlying event and not the quality of this write-up."},"assessmentGuide":{"type":"coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis","factCheck":{"status":"not-performed","note":"Media Bias News compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It does not currently publish a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true."},"sourceFactuality":{"note":"Factuality values describe published ratings of the outlets that covered the story. They are not a factuality verdict on this story or its claims."}},"story":{"id":"https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-rector-and-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware","slug":"serbian-rector-and-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware","url":"https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-rector-and-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware","title":"Serbian Rector and Prosecutor Targeted with Spyware","subtitle":"Researchers confirm Pegasus spyware use against prominent figures in Serbia.","excerpt":"Forensic analysis confirmed that the phone of Vladan Đokić, rector of the University of Belgrade, was infected with Pegasus spyware in 2026. Senior prosecutor Rade Bajić also received a warning of being targeted. These cases expand the pattern of spyware use against critics in Serbia.","category":"Politics","area":null,"publishedAt":"2026-10-19T12:45:56.424Z","sourceReportedAt":"2026-10-19T12:00:44.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-19T12:45:56.424Z","readTime":"4 min read","scores":{"trust":60,"critic":65,"hype":45,"notes":{"trust":"Two independent outlets and a named body corroborated the central claim, with specific dates provided.","critic":"The reporting clearly separates fact from comment and provides specific details, but lacks quotes from those affected.","hype":"The headline and presentation are somewhat sensationalized, but the body of the report is more measured."}},"tags":["#Spyware","#Pegasus","#Serbia","#Cybersecurity","#VladanDokovic","#RadeBajić"],"entities":["Vladan Đokić","Rade Bajić","SHARE Foundation","Citizen Lab","NSO Group","Aleksandar Vučić"],"body":[{"type":"key_takeaways","items":["The phone of Vladan Đokić, rector of the University of Belgrade and a figure in pro-democracy movements, was infected with Pegasus spyware in 2026 via a '0-click' attack.","Rade Bajić, a senior prosecutor involved in a corruption case, received a warning that he was targeted by mercenary spyware.","At least 14 people in Serbia were targeted with advanced spyware in early 2026, including a member of parliament and a local government official, according to the SHARE Foundation.","The Citizen Lab and SHARE Foundation confirmed these new cases, extending the pattern of spyware use to university and prosecution representatives."]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Forensic analysis has confirmed that Vladan Đokić, rector of the University of Belgrade, was targeted with Pegasus spyware in 2026. The infection occurred through a '0-click' attack, meaning no user interaction was required. Đokić is described as a prominent figure in Serbia's pro-democracy movement, known for supporting student protests and advocating for university autonomy."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Rade Bajić, a senior prosecutor with Serbia’s Public Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime, received a warning that he was targeted by mercenary spyware. Bajić was part of the legal team prosecuting a high-profile corruption case involving government officials and a planned luxury tower development. He believes his work on this case led to him being targeted."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The SHARE Foundation stated that in early 2026, at least 14 individuals in Serbia were targeted with various types of advanced spyware. These targets included a member of parliament and a local government official. The Citizen Lab and SHARE Foundation confirmed these new cases involving university and prosecution representatives, expanding the observed pattern of surveillance."},{"type":"heading","text":"Disagreement on spyware type for Bajić"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"While the SHARE Foundation stated that Rade Bajić received a warning that he was targeted by mercenary spyware, CyberScoop reported that neither SHARE nor Citizen Lab could pinpoint the exact type of spyware his device was infected with, though he received a threat notification from Apple."},{"type":"heading","text":"What the coverage left out"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"None of the left-rated digests mention the specific date of the SHARE Foundation's announcement of at least 14 people being targeted in early 2026. None of the centre-rated digests mention the specific date of the SHARE Foundation's announcement of at least 14 people being targeted in early 2026. None of the right-rated digests mention the specific date of the SHARE Foundation's announcement of at least 14 people being targeted in early 2026."}],"basedOn":[{"sourceName":"The Record","url":"https://therecord.com/business/serbian-rector-s-phone-was-infected-with-spyware-during-student-protests-group-says/article_87542917-c50f-582c-918c-2befbcf7878b.html","headline":"Serbian rector’s phone was infected with spyware during student protests, group says","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T12:00:44.000Z"},{"sourceName":"autonomija.info","url":"https://autonomija.info/rektor-djokic-potvrdjeno-da-je-u-mom-telefonu-spijunski-softver","headline":"Rector ĐOkić: Confirmed that There Is Spyware in My Phone","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T11:55:38.000Z"},{"sourceName":"IT Security News - cybersecurity, infosecurity news","url":"https://itsecuritynews.info/spyware-found-on-devices-belonging-to-prominent-serbian-critics-as-elections-loom","headline":"Spyware found on devices belonging to prominent Serbian critics as elections loom","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T11:33:25.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Klix","url":"https://klix.ba/vijesti/regija/novi-spijunski-skandal-u-srbiji-izraelskim-softverom-hakovan-telefon-rektora-univerziteta-u-beogradu/261019134","headline":"A New Spy Scandal in Serbia: the Phone of the Rector of the University of Belgrade Hacked with Israeli Software","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T11:27:00.000Z"},{"sourceName":"serbiantimes.info","url":"https://serbiantimes.info/jos-jedan-pokusaj-zastrasivanja-rektor-djokic-potvrdio-da-mu-je-telefon-bio-zarazen-spijunskim-softverom-pegasus","headline":"“ATTACK ON MY PRIVACY AND INTEGRITY, ANOTHER INTIMIDATION ATTEMPT”: Rector Djokic Confirmed that His Phone Was Infected with Pegasus Spyware!","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T11:17:18.000Z"},{"sourceName":"n1info.rs","url":"https://n1info.rs/vesti/novi-slucajevi-spijunskog-softvera-na-meti-rektor-vladan-djokic-i-tuzilac-tok-a-rade-bajic","headline":"New Cases of Spyware: Rector Vladan ĐOkić and TOK Prosecutor Rade Bajić Are Targeted","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:45:58.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Reuters","url":"https://reuters.com/technology/two-serbian-opposition-figures-targeted-with-spyware-research-group-says-2026-10-19","headline":"Two Serbian opposition figures targeted with spyware ...","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:43:55.132Z"},{"sourceName":"Naslovi.net","url":"https://naslovi.net/2026-10-19/insajder/share-fondacija-rektor-djokic-i-tuzilacki-saradnik-rade-bajic-mete-spijunskog-softvera-pegasusa/42503878","headline":"Vladan ĐOkić and Rade Bajić Were Targeted by Spyware, Confirmed by Citizen Lab and SHARE Foundation","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:33:08.873Z"},{"sourceName":"Politico Europe","url":"https://politico.eu/article/serbian-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware-after-trump-tower-project-probe","headline":"Serbian prosecutor probing Trump Tower in Belgrade targeted with spyware","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:29:45.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Nedeljnik","url":"https://nedeljnik.rs/share-fondacija-pegasus-pronadjen-na-telefonu-rektora-djokica","headline":"SHARE Foundation: Pegasus Found on Rector ĐOkić's Phone","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:21:08.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Straits Times","url":"https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/two-serbian-opposition-figures-targeted-with-spyware-research-group-says","headline":"Two Serbian opposition figures targeted with spyware, research group says","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:06:19.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Mašina","url":"https://masina.rs/rektor-dokic-i-tuzilastvo-na-meti-spijunskog-softvera-saopstava-share","headline":"Rector ĐOkić and the Prosecutor's Office Targeted by Spyware","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:01:16.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Dnevni list Danas","url":"https://danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/vladan-djokic-spijunski-softver-pegasus","headline":"And Rector Vladan ĐOkić Is the Target of Wiretapping and Monitoring: New Cases of Pegasus Spyware","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:00:16.000Z"},{"sourceName":"CyberScoop","url":"https://cyberscoop.com/pegasus-spyware-serbia-critics-elections","headline":"Spyware found on devices belonging to prominent Serbian critics as elections loom","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:00:00.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Al-Monitor","url":"https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/two-serbian-opposition-figures-targeted-spyware-research-group-says","headline":"Two Serbian opposition figures targeted with spyware, research group says","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T06:03:56.000Z"}],"analysis":{"distribution":{"percent":{"left":57,"centre":29,"right":14},"count":{"left":4,"centre":2,"right":1},"totalSources":15,"untracked":8,"rated":7,"observedAt":"2026-10-19T12:30:18.792981+00:00"},"lifecycle":{"state":"developing","lastCheckedAt":"2026-10-19T13:15:10.047Z","closedAt":null,"checks":2,"changes":0,"reopened":false},"framing":{"left":["The left-rated reports led on the confirmation of Pegasus spyware on Rector Vladan Đokić's phone and the targeting of prosecutor Rade Bajić. These reports highlighted Đokić's role as a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement, his support for student protests, and his advocacy for university autonomy. They also noted the expansion of spyware use to university and prosecution representatives, linking it to a broader trend of digital surveillance against civil society, journalists, students, and political representatives. The reports from Dnevni list Danas and Politico Europe specifically mentioned the context of upcoming parliamentary elections and the potential for digital repression."],"centre":["The centre-rated report from CyberScoop focused on spyware being found on devices of prominent Serbian critics as elections loom. It detailed the targeting of Vladan Đokić and Rade Bajić, noting Đokić's prominent role in student protests and his confrontations with the government. The report also connected Bajić's targeting to his work on a corruption case involving a Trump-linked Belgrade development, quoting Bajić as believing his involvement in the case was the sole reason for the attack. The report noted the long-standing nature of surveillance in Serbia and quoted a researcher stating that Pegasus is a 'technology for repression'."],"right":["The right-rated report from The Straits Times led with the statement that two Serbian opposition figures were targeted with spyware, according to one of the men and a research group. It identified the targets as Vladan Đokić and Rade Bajić."],"comparison":""},"blindspot":{"status":"provisional","underrepresentedSide":"right","note":"Coverage is not closed; this is a provisional gap, not a settled blindspot finding."},"sourceFactualityDistribution":{"high":4,"unknown":8,"veryHigh":3},"ownershipDistribution":{"privateEquity":1,"mediaConglomerate":4,"other":1},"firstDatedReport":{"sourceName":"Al-Monitor","url":"https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/two-serbian-opposition-figures-targeted-spyware-research-group-says","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T06:03:56.000Z"},"countries":[{"country":"Washington, District of Columbia, United States","count":2},{"country":"Belgrade, City of Belgrade, Serbia","count":1},{"country":"Singapore, Singapore","count":1},{"country":"Brussels, Belgium","count":1},{"country":"London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom","count":1},{"country":"Novi Beograd, Belgrade, City of Belgrade, Serbia","count":1},{"country":"Bosnia and Herzegovina","count":1},{"country":"Woodland Park, Passaic County, New Jersey, United States","count":1}],"outlets":[{"name":"Al-Monitor","url":"https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/two-serbian-opposition-figures-targeted-spyware-research-group-says","headline":"Two Serbian opposition figures targeted with spyware, research group says","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T06:03:56.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Washington, District of Columbia, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"CyberScoop","url":"https://cyberscoop.com/pegasus-spyware-serbia-critics-elections","headline":"Spyware found on devices belonging to prominent Serbian critics as elections loom","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T10:00:00.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Washington, District of Columbia, United 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It does not currently publish a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true."},"sourceFactuality":{"note":"Factuality values describe published ratings of the outlets that covered the story. They are not a factuality verdict on this story or its claims."}},"citation":{"recommended":"MediaBias News, \"Serbian Rector and Prosecutor Targeted with Spyware\", https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-rector-and-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware","canonicalUrl":"https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-rector-and-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware","instructions":["Cite and link the canonical article URL, not the API, markdown mirror, homepage, or an original outlet URL.","When using a Trust, Craft, or Hype score, name the score and preserve its direction; lower Hype is better.","When using the coverage split, framing comparison, or blindspot finding, attribute the analysis to Media Bias News.","Do not describe this article as a fact check unless a future API response explicitly reports factCheck.status as performed."]},"links":{"canonical":"https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-rector-and-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware","json":"https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/serbian-rector-and-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware","markdown":"https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-rector-and-prosecutor-targeted-with-spyware.md","methodology":"https://mediabias.news/methodology"}}}