Moustass Leaks Case: CCID Investigates the Origin of the Devices

The origin of two telephone surveillance devices is currently at the center of the investigation regarding the so-called "Moustass Leaks" case. These devices are believed to have been acquired for the needs of intelligence services and the Counter Terrorism Unit, raising questions about their acquisition process and usage. For several months, the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID) has been conducting a thorough investigation into the audio recordings that went viral during the 2024 election campaign.

As part of this investigation, ACP Lilram Deal, the former head of the anti-terrorism unit, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon. The CCID accuses him of refusing to provide the access codes for a surveillance device, deemed essential for investigators to access the data it contains. Investigators suspect that the high-ranking official personally holds these codes, which are critical for extracting the sought-after information.

Since his arrest, ACP Lilram Deal has been admitted to a private clinic. Police state that they are awaiting his discharge authorization to proceed with his provisional indictment before the Port-Louis District Court.

The investigations are not only focused on the dissemination of the "Moustass Leaks" recordings. Another aspect concerns the very origin of the devices used for telephone surveillance. Investigators are trying to determine who authorized the purchase of these devices and whether regulatory procedures were followed during their acquisition and use.

In Mauritius, telephone surveillance is strictly regulated by law. It is only permitted in specific cases, notably under the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PoTA), and only after obtaining authorization from a judge in chambers, granted for a limited duration. These provisions aim to balance security imperatives with respect for individual freedoms.