Greek Court sentences four to prison in 2022 ‘predator’ surveillance scandal
A Greek court has handed down prison sentences totaling 126 years and eight months to four individuals convicted in connection with the 2022 illegal surveillance scandal involving the “Predator” spyware. The court ruled that eight years of the sentence will be effectively served.
According to reporting by ERT, the defendants were found guilty of unlawfully accessing private communications and violating data protection and privacy laws through the use of the Predator surveillance software.
Who Was Convicted
Among those sentenced is Tal Jonathan Dilian, a former Israeli military officer and founder of Intellexa, the company linked to the procurement of the Predator spyware. His business partner, Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, was also convicted.
The other two individuals sentenced are Felix Bitzios, a partner and executive associated with Intellexa, and Yannis Lavranos, owner of Krikel, the company that purchased the Predator software.
All four were found guilty of illegally intercepting private communications and breaching national privacy and data protection legislation.
Background of the Scandal
The surveillance scandal first erupted in 2022 after Greek journalist Thanasis Koukakis discovered the Predator spyware installed on his mobile phone.
Subsequent reports alleged that numerous politicians, senior officials, journalists and business figures were targeted. Those reportedly affected included former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, former Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, and former Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Konstantinos Floros.
The case became one of the most significant political and institutional crises in Greece in recent years, raising concerns over press freedom, rule of law, and oversight of surveillance technologies.
Further legal proceedings related to the broader surveillance controversy remain ongoing.
