Greek Court Convicts Four in ‘Predatorgate’ Spyware Scandal
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — An Athens court on Thursday convicted four individuals linked to the spyware maker Intellexa of unlawful access to private communication systems and data, marking a significant, though potentially temporary, step toward accountability in the sprawling “Predatorgate” surveillance scandal that has gripped Greece.
The four – Tal Dilian, a former Israeli intelligence officer and founder of Intellexa; Sara Hamou, Dilian’s business partner; Felix Bitzios, a former deputy administrator and shareholder of Intellexa; and Yiannis Lavranos, owner of Kriel, the company allegedly used to procure Predator – each received a sentence of 126 years and eight months in prison. The sentences are suspended pending appeal.
The case stems from revelations that began in March 2022, when journalist Thanasis Koukakis discovered his phone had been infected with the highly invasive Predator spyware. Four months later, Nikos Androulakis, then a Member of the European Parliament and now leader of the opposition party PASOK-KINAL, also found his phone had been targeted.
“Almost four years since the ‘Predatorgate’ scandal hit Greece, we are finally seeing consequences for those involved in the abuse of surveillance technology,” said Rebecca White, Security Lab Researcher at Amnesty International. “We hope this landmark ruling signals the end of the era of impunity for the surveillance industry.”
The scandal triggered widespread public outrage, parliamentary inquiries, and criminal investigations. Amnesty International and other organizations have documented how Intellexa’s products have been used in attacks against journalists, activists, academics, and politicians globally.
Despite the convictions, questions remain regarding the potential role of the Greek government. Authorities have consistently denied purchasing or using Predator spyware. Prosecutors are continuing their investigation, seeking to implicate eight additional individuals and anyone else potentially involved, including exploring possible collaboration with foreign state forces.
“Transparency is a crucial part of accountability – as is remedy for the many victims of the human rights violations brought about by the unlawful use of this technology,” White added.
In July 2024, Greece’s Supreme Court cleared intelligence services and political officials of wrongdoing, a decision that fueled criticism of the investigation’s impartiality. However, Thursday’s court ruling offers a rare instance of accountability within the broader, international spyware industry.
