Fresh political clash over the Predator spyware scandal after Dilian’s remarks

A new wave of political controversy surrounding the wiretapping scandal and the Predator spyware was triggered by statements from Tal Dilian, founder of Intellexa, who said in an interview with Efimerida ton Syntakton that his company operates solely as a technology supplier to government agencies and is never involved in the use or operation of the systems it sells.

Dilian insisted that Intellexa never operated any system in Greece and that, to date, no evidence has been presented proving either his own involvement or that of his company in illegal surveillance activities. He also revealed that, during the appeal proceedings, he will request that additional witnesses be called, arguing that he seeks the complete overturning of the first-instance ruling.

The government responded through spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, who stated that the Greek government “never purchased or possessed Predator in any way,” while also referring to the decisions of the judiciary. The statement was widely interpreted as a reference to the first-instance conviction of Dilian and three other defendants by the Athens Single-Member Misdemeanor Court for misdemeanor offenses linked to the wiretapping case.

The first-instance ruling left open the possibility of investigating additional individuals, but the Supreme Court of Greece (Areios Pagos) later declined to reopen the case.

Dilian’s remarks prompted strong reactions from opposition parties, which called for him to be summoned again to testify about what he knows regarding the affair. Both PASOK and SYRIZA argued that his comments raise new questions about the role of state authorities and called for further investigation.

Although the initial court ruling left open the possibility of examining other individuals, the Supreme Court recently concluded that no new evidence had emerged to justify reopening the investigation. The case is now expected to be reviewed on appeal following the appeals filed by the convicted defendants.

Sources: Efimerida ton Sintakton [1], [2], Τo Vima