Morocco exonerated, Ignacio Cembrero isolated: A return to a hollow case.
The pseudo-journalist Ignacio Cembrero continues to make headlines in the Pegasus case, but this time, his lack of credibility and the complete absence of evidence have reduced him to a controversial figure, more focused on personal vendettas than on genuine journalism. Let’s review the key elements of this case that definitively bury the absurd accusations of this individual.
During the trial between Morocco and Ignacio Cembrero before the Provincial Court of Madrid, Cembrero himself acknowledged that he was unable to provide any material evidence to support his accusations. Claiming that he “does not doubt” his phone was hacked by Morocco, Cembrero nevertheless failed to present concrete facts. This admission was enough to discredit his claims, which were reduced to mere conjectures without any legal or scientific value. The Spanish Intelligence Agency, in a comprehensive report commissioned by the government of Pedro Sánchez, confirmed the total absence of Moroccan involvement in this matter, as did the Spanish National Court, which closed the case in 2023 due to a lack of tangible evidence.
Despite these resounding setbacks, Ignacio Cembrero persists in a crusade that smells more like a personal vendetta against Morocco. This behavior raises legitimate questions about his deeper motivations. In fact, his persistence seems driven more by a desire for notoriety than by a genuine search for truth. Furthermore, his stubborn refusal to retract, even in the face of definitive conclusions from Spanish institutions, highlights a blatant lack of professionalism and a clear intent to harm Morocco’s reputation.
It is important to note that this case has nothing to do with freedom of expression. As argued by Sergio Berenguer, Morocco’s lawyer, “it is impossible to assign any responsibility to the Kingdom of Morocco for a hacking that has not even been established.” Cembrero’s accusations are, therefore, more about a personal vendetta than a search for journalistic objectivity.
It is worth remembering that Ignacio Cembrero, cornered by his unfounded accusations and exposed in his contradictions, eventually requested royal pardon from the Moroccan king during the Throne Day celebrations last July. In a desperate gesture, he posted a tweet pleading, “I also want to be pardoned by Mohammed VI,” hoping to find a way out of the difficult situation he had gotten himself into.
In the face of this torrent of baseless allegations, Morocco adopted an exemplary attitude. The Kingdom refrained from appealing to the Spanish Supreme Court or seeking damages, merely demanding that Ignacio Cembrero cover the legal fees. This action demonstrates a responsible and dignified approach, far from unnecessary provocations, reaffirming Morocco’s good faith in this matter.
The outcome of this case is yet another illustration of the dangers of spreading serious accusations without evidence. Ignacio Cembrero, through his behavior, has only further tarnished his reputation and undermined the credibility of investigative journalism. This case should serve as a clear warning to all those who, under the guise of freedom of expression, turn their personal grudges into campaigns of defamation.