Military-grade spyware licensed by an Israeli firm to governments for tracking terrorists and criminals was used in attempted and successful hacks of 37 smartphones belonging to journalists, human rights activists, business executives and two women close to murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to an investigation by The Washington Post and 16 media partners.

A 32-year-old ex-convict has been arrested in Phatthalung's Pa Bon district for allegedly selling cellphones to inmates and arranged the delivery during visits by throwing the items over the prison fence, police superintendent Colonel Pattarawit Kitamothaneeyakul of Phatthalung said on Friday.