Serbian Opposition Figures and Student Protesters Among Dozens Targeted by Advanced Spyware, Researchers Find

Digital forensic analysts have identified at least 14 Serbian individuals—ranging from a sitting member of parliament to local opposition politicians and student demonstrators—as victims of sophisticated spyware infections that began in December, according to a report released by The Record.

The investigation, conducted by an independent cybersecurity team, says the malicious software is capable of infiltrating mobile devices, extracting messages, call logs, location data, and even activating microphones and cameras without the users' knowledge. While the exact technical family of the spyware has not been disclosed, the researchers note that its capabilities mirror those of commercially available surveillance tools that have been linked to state-sponsored monitoring in other regions.

Those targeted represent a cross‑section of Serbia’s political dissent. The list includes a national lawmaker known for vocal criticism of the ruling party, a municipal opposition councilor, and several university students who have participated in recent anti‑government protests. The breadth of the campaign suggests a coordinated effort to monitor and potentially intimidate voices that challenge the current administration.

Serbia has experienced a surge in public demonstrations over the past year, with opposition groups demanding electoral reforms, greater media freedom, and an end to perceived corruption. The government’s response has been marked by a mixture of concessions and crackdowns, fueling concerns among civil‑society observers about the health of the country’s democratic institutions. In this climate, the revelation of covert digital surveillance adds a new dimension to the struggle for political space.

Experts say the deployment of such spyware raises serious legal and ethical questions. International human‑rights bodies have repeatedly warned that the misuse of surveillance technology can undermine freedom of expression and the right to privacy. Serbia, a candidate country for European Union membership, faces heightened scrutiny from EU officials who have urged the government to demonstrate adherence to democratic standards, including the protection of opposition figures from illicit monitoring.

Authorities in Belgrade have not issued an official comment on the findings, and no criminal investigations have been announced to date. Meanwhile, opposition leaders and student activists are calling for a transparent inquiry into the alleged cyber‑attacks, urging both domestic law‑enforcement agencies and international partners to hold any perpetrators accountable. The forensic team has offered to share its technical evidence with relevant investigators, emphasizing that a thorough audit of digital security practices is essential to restore public confidence.