Gamma International: The Macedonia files
This PDF contains source documents showing how the UK approved export licences to Gamma International UK to supply sophisticated mobile phone surveillance equipment, known as IMSI catchers, to the Republic of Macedonia.
The export licences were granted at a time when the Macedonian security services were engaged in illegal communications surveillance on a massive scale, targeting journalists, politicians and government ministers.
The scandal dented the popularity of the country’s largest right-wing party – VMRO-DPMNE – and eventually ended its 10-year reign of power, when leaked tapes of intercepted conversations were made public by Zoran Zaev, leader of Macedonia’s centre-left party from February 2015.