Italy is embroiled in an internal espionage scandal involving a private investigation firm made up of former and current security services members, accused of stealing personal information from politicians, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for extortion.

Allegations also suggest ties to Israel’s Mossad. At least four arrests have been made, with many others under investigation, as cybersecurity experts suspect breaches of the interior ministry’s servers.

Meloni condemned the alleged activities as “unacceptable” and a threat to democracy, prompting Defense Minister Guido Crosetto to call for an urgent parliamentary investigation.

The scandal is described as a high-level conspiracy involving the mafia and intelligence officials.

A former police senior officer, leading the firm Equalize, is the primary suspect for breaching government servers since 2019 to compile sensitive files for clients, including major companies and law firms, Ynet News has reported.

Reports indicate that Israeli intelligence agents visited the firm to negotiate information related to Iranian gas trade and Russian hackers linked to the Wagner Group, with suggestions of classified information and a financial incentive for cooperation.

The Vatican is also reported to have been involved in efforts against Russian interests.

Written by B.C. Begley