Four Convicted Over Spyware Scandal that Shook Greece
Four individuals have been convicted and sentenced to jail by a Greek court following a major wiretapping scandal that rattled the nation in 2022. This incident, dubbed Greece’s Watergate, involved the use of the surveillance software Predator, which targeted 87 individuals, including government ministers, high-ranking military officials, and journalists.
Key Findings from the Court Proceedings
– The Athens court found the defendants guilty of misdemeanors related to the violation of telephone communication confidentiality and the illegal access of personal data and conversations.
– Each defendant received lengthy jail sentences, although these are suspended pending appeal. While they face up to 126 years in prison, typically, only eight years would be served for misdemeanors.
– Shockingly, one in three of those targeted had previously been under legal surveillance by Greece’s intelligence service, EYP.
Government Response to the Spyware Scandal
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, having placed the EYP under his direct oversight, acknowledged the incident as a scandal. However, critics accuse the government of attempting to cover up the broader implications, as no government officials have faced charges in court.
Background of the Spyware Case
The scandal first emerged in the summer of 2022 when Nikos Androulakis, then a Member of the European Parliament and now the leader of the Greek Socialist party Pasok, was alerted by IT experts from the European Parliament about a malicious text message containing a hazardous link. This message was a gateway for the Predator spyware developed by the Athens-based Israeli company Intellexa. The malicious software could infiltrate devices, accessing messages, cameras, and microphones. Notably, its use was illegal in Greece at the time; however, a new law passed in 2022 has since legalized its use under strict regulations.
Androulakis also uncovered that he had been monitored for national security reasons by the intelligence services, igniting a significant debate over democratic accountability in Greece.
Ongoing Investigations and Public Reactions
Despite the severity of the case, this trial is just one facet of the larger scandal, which has yet to see comprehensive judicial scrutiny. The court proceedings unfolded in a compact courtroom filled with both Greek and international journalists.
The convicted individuals—two Greeks, Felix Bitzios and Yiannis Lavranos, and two Israelis, Tal Dilian and Sara Hamou—were absent for the verdict, a stark contrast to their presence during the five-month trial. The judge did not allow leniency, expressing concerns that the defendants may have acted alongside unknown third parties, potentially including officials from both Greek and foreign intelligence services. Consequently, the judge decided to forward the trial records to the Athens Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation into possible felonies, including espionage.
Among the prominent figures targeted was Thanasis Koukakis, a financial journalist known for his investigative work on corruption. He expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, declaring that it reaffirms the safeguards in place for the rule of law in Greece. Lawyer Zacharias Kesses, representing victims of the Predator scandal, called for an unfettered investigation into the involvement of third parties in potential criminal activities.
The developments surrounding this spyware scandal highlight ongoing concerns about privacy, governmental oversight, and the integrity of democratic institutions in Greece. As the saga continues, the public and legal communities await further revelations and resolutions regarding the broader implications of this egregious invasion of privacy.