Greek City Times | March 13, 2026
Tal Dilian, founder of the spyware firm Intellexa and recently sentenced to over 126 years in prison for his role in Greece’s Predator wiretapping scandal, has stated that his company provided its surveillance technology exclusively to authorized governments and law enforcement agencies.
In a written statement to the Greek television program MEGA Stories, the former Israeli intelligence officer distanced Intellexa from the actual deployment of the Predator spyware that targeted at least 87 individuals in Greece, including opposition politicians, journalists, military officers, and state officials.
“We operate strictly under European and international export regulations, providing technology exclusively to authorized governments and law enforcement agencies,” Dilian said. He emphasized that Intellexa does not conduct surveillance itself, adding that “responsibility for the lawful use of the technology rests with the sovereign authorities that acquire and operate them.”
The admission has reignited fierce political controversy in Athens. Opposition leaders immediately seized on Dilian’s words as evidence that the Greek government—and specifically Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis—directly orchestrated or tolerated the massive domestic espionage operation.
Nikos Androulakis, leader of PASOK and a confirmed Predator target, declared: “Predator and illegal surveillance were the weapons of a deep state, set up by the prime minister and the Maximos Mansion. Half of his cabinet, the heads of the armed forces, journalists, and state officials were illegally monitored. After Dilian’s cynical admission, the prime minister cannot pretend to be ignorant and misled.”
Sokratis Famellos of Syriza called the situation a “profound institutional crisis,” while Gabriel Sakellaridis of the New Left party stated that Dilian’s statement removes “any doubt” that the Greek government and the National Intelligence Service (EYP) were Intellexa’s clients.
The government rejected the accusations. Spokesman Pavlos Marinakis dismissed Androulakis’ claims as “political distraction” and a bid to divert attention from PASOK’s internal crisis. He pointed to the Supreme Court’s earlier clearance of state officials and the recent convictions of four private individuals as proof there was no state cover-up.
The scandal traces back to the February 26, 2026, court ruling that convicted Dilian, Intellexa shareholder Felix Bitzios, business manager Sara Aleksandra Hamou, and supplier Giannis Lavranos. Each received 126 years and eight months in prison, though Greek law caps actual time served at eight years for such misdemeanor convictions. The defendants have appealed.
Prosecutor Dimitris Pavlidis argued during the trial that evidence warranted further investigation into potential felony charges, including espionage. Intellexa already faces international sanctions: in 2024, the U.S. Treasury blacklisted the group for developing and distributing spyware that targeted Americans, including officials and journalists.
The renewed clash highlights deep divisions over accountability for one of Greece’s most serious post-junta scandals, with opposition parties demanding a full parliamentary inquiry and an independent investigation into possible state involvement.
Sources: MEGA Stories
