A major surveillance scandal in which Greek politicians, business figures and journalists were targeted by phone surveillance has resurfaced after a company linked to the case said it sells its technology only to state actors.
That contradicts official claims from the government in Athens, which insists it had nothing to do with the companies involved in the scandal, but Tal Dilian, an Israeli former intelligence officer and leader of Intellexa – one of the companies associated with Predator – told Greece’s Mega TV on Thursday that his firm only works with governments.
“We have never conducted surveillance activities, nor do we retain operational access after the systems have been delivered,” he said.
In 2022, the so-called ‘Greek Watergate’ triggered a political storm in Greece, raising questions about the possible use of commercial surveillance tools against journalists and political opponents.
The scandal erupted after journalist Thanasis Koukakis and socialist opposition leader Nikos Androulakis discovered that their phones had been targeted with illegal Predator spyware.
The software is a powerful remote surveillance tool that can access all data on a device, activate the camera and microphone, and track the user’s location.
In February, a Greek court convicted four individuals, including Dilian, linked to the companies selling Predator, and asked prosecutors to investigate whether others may have been involved, after new evidence emerged during the trial. An appeal has been filed in the case.
The government, including the intelligence service, has consistently denied any involvement and purchase of the spyware, saying the case concerns private individuals and companies rather than the state.
Tal Dilian added that the responsibility for the lawful use of such technologies lies with the authorities that acquire and operate them.
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Dilian did not explicitly refer to the Greek government and if local authorities were not involved, then local media has suggested the case could point to foreign intelligence activity.
The statements come amid heated political campaigning ahead of national elections scheduled for early 2027.
Opposition parties have accused the conservative government of attempting to shield political figures from scrutiny, arguing that a law granting ministers immunity has been used to block accountability.
They have also criticised Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, noting that one of his first acts after taking office in 2019 was to place the country’s intelligence service directly under his authority.
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