"Far from being in a dynamic of dialogue, they carried out a real media campaign on the basis of unfounded accusations, hence misleading several media and journalists," Bourita pointed out in an interview with Swiss newspaper "Tribune de Genève”.

"This is completely untrue. We unequivocally reject these accusations," he said.

AI has "attempted to make the link in their document between Morocco and NSO. However, there is no evidence that establishes or proves any link. And so far, weeks have passed without their being able to substantiate their claims with verifiable data or evidence. They claim that only states can hack into phones using the networks they control through phone operators. But today, devices that mimic network signal and hack into mobile phones are sold online," Bourita underlined.

For the minister, "there is also the tone used, in their publications and tweets. We do not think that ‘name and shame’ is the best way to get things done".

He noted that the response from the organization's acting secretary general "does not answer our questions. What we were looking for was a detailed report substantiating the allegations of espionage. We have requested access to the chain of custody of the phone in question, including software and hardware, so that the competent Moroccan authorities can properly conduct their counter-investigation, because a lot of work is needed to understand how the hacking could have been carried out".

"If someone is wiretapping our citizens, let alone someone external, we must know who they are. Today, it must be said that AI cannot present evidence and we are not the only ones to say so. The Tel Aviv court on Monday dismissed AI’s complaint against the NSO company, justifying this decision by AI’s failure to prove that the software was being used by their government. This is another case in which Amnesty International speaks without evidence," Bourita added.

"All of this raises serious doubts about their methodology. And Morocco will not give in to this blackmail," he said.

Commenting the allegations contained in the last AI report concerning the reaction of Morocco, the minister pointed out that the organization's assertions "sweep away more than two decades of achievements in human rights, recognized by all, and building institutions and consolidating good practices to place us in the same category as countries that have committed real atrocities against their own people."

"This statement also ignores the authorities of the country, its civil society and its citizens. Anyone who knows the Moroccan reality is well aware that Morocco has no problem with freedom of expression. We pride ourselves on the dynamism of our civil society and our country has made development a state policy. And that must be recognized," he went on.

For the year 2020 alone, he recalled, AI has freely published seven tendentious reports on Morocco, without counting the 72 or so other documents which have been openly unfavorable to us, without provoking any reaction from the authorities.

"We do not expect to be spared, even less flattered, but the reforms undertaken by Morocco in the field of human rights have been marked with courage and openness," he said.

"Our trajectory is not perfect but we are progressing serenely compared to the expectations of our citizens. However, Morocco has the right to ask for an interaction based on respect, and this is what we demand from Amnesty", Bourita stressed.

"Such accusations affect both the national security of a state and the individual freedoms of its citizens. This double dimension requires a lot of caution and nuance. We criticize Amnesty International for having failed in the duty of neutrality and objectivity and for lack of professionalism," he added.