Greece Begins Trial Over Illegal Wiretapping Scandal

A trial concerning the illegal wiretapping of politicians and journalists using the controversial spyware, Predator, commenced on March 15, 2024, in Athens, Greece. This trial follows a scandal that emerged three years ago, significantly impacting the country’s political landscape. Four individuals, including two Israelis and two Greeks, face charges related to the “violation of telephone communication secrecy.” They could receive a maximum prison sentence of five years if convicted.

The defendants include three former executives from the Greek company Intellexa, which was responsible for marketing the Predator spyware in Greece. This spyware is known for its ability to access personal messages, photos, and even activate the microphone or camera of targeted devices remotely. In 2023, Intellexa was placed on a list of companies banned in the United States due to concerns over national security, alongside Cytrox, the developer of Predator, based in North Macedonia.

Impact on Greece’s Political Landscape

One of the key victims of the wiretapping scandal, Greek financial journalist Thanassis Koukakis, described the situation as “a true violation of the rule of law.” Koukakis uncovered the case in early 2022, which led to significant political repercussions, including the resignation of the head of Greece’s EYP National Intelligence Service and the prime minister’s senior aide. Koukakis, who had been under surveillance by the EYP, has filed a civil lawsuit as part of the ongoing trial.

“My surveillance began with the secret services in 2020, before my phone was infected in 2021 with eight text messages from Predator,” Koukakis explained. He criticized the government for attempting to downplay the situation despite media revelations that pointed to the political implications of the wiretapping.

The scandal gained wider attention in July 2022 when Nikos Androulakis, the leader of the opposition party Pasok-Kinal, disclosed that his phone had been targeted for infection by the same spyware. This revelation triggered a substantial investigation into a broader surveillance network, further complicating the political landscape.

Despite facing a motion of no confidence over the issue, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis maintained that the surveillance operations were legal. Following public outcries, the Greek Parliament has since banned the use of spyware.

Broader Implications for Media Freedom

Lists of individuals who were allegedly targeted by the surveillance, including ministers, military officials, journalists, and business leaders, were later published in the press. Koukakis, who was investigating corruption at the time, condemned the actions as a significant political scandal. The press organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) characterized the case as “a new blow to media freedom” within Greece.

In 2023, several individuals affected by the spying, alongside the Authority for the Protection of Communications Secrecy (ADAE), presented their case to the European Parliament, highlighting concerns over delays in the investigation and alleged government interference. Koukakis underscored the institutional implications of the scandal, describing it as a “real violation of the rule of law.”

Last year, members of the European Parliament called for stricter regulations on the use of spyware, specifically naming countries such as Hungary and Poland, alongside Greece, Spain, and Cyprus as potential users of such technology. Koukakis’s lawyer, Zacharias Kesses, criticized the lack of accountability for political figures involved, noting that no politicians have faced prosecution to date. Despite the top prosecutor’s assertion that there was no evidence implicating the national intelligence service, Kesses remains optimistic about the evidence collected.

“There is sufficient evidence proving at least two serious crimes,” Kesses stated, including violations of personal data and state secrets, stemming from the documented wiretapping of key government officials. Approximately ten people, including Androulakis, have filed civil suits in relation to the case.

The trial is expected to unfold over several months, with thousands of pages of documentation involved. As this case progresses, it could have lasting implications for privacy rights and media freedom in Greece and beyond.