Surveillance Company CEO Vows to Fight Greek Wiretapping Conviction

The head of surveillance technology firm Intellexa says he will challenge his conviction in a major Greek wiretapping scandal. Tal Dilian was found guilty of personal data violations in the 'Predatorgate' affair that led to high-level government resignations in 2022.

The chief executive of surveillance technology company Intellexa announced Tuesday he will challenge his conviction in a major wiretapping scandal that shook Greece’s government in 2022.

Tal Dilian, who leads the surveillance firm, received a suspended prison sentence on February 26 when a Greek court found him and three others guilty of misdemeanor personal data violations.

“I remained silent during the trial, but I will not be a scapegoat,” Dilian stated to Reuters.

“I believe a conviction without evidence is not justice, it could be part of a cover-up and even a crime. I will present my case before national, regional, and international institutions, including requesting the intervention of the UN Special Rapporteur on judicial independence.”

The controversy, nicknamed “Predatorgate” by Greek media, began when a financial reporter and political figure claimed they were targeted by government surveillance using Predator malware, Intellexa’s primary spyware technology.

The scandal resulted in the dismissal of Greece’s intelligence chief and the prime minister’s top aide. Investigators discovered Predator software traces on numerous mobile devices.

Greece’s administration denied any misconduct and weathered a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2023 related to the surveillance allegations.

The country’s highest court prosecutor dropped charges against the intelligence service in 2024 but sent four individuals, including Dilian, to face misdemeanor prosecution.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated this month that judicial officials are handling the matter, emphasizing that the supreme court dismissed the case regarding government involvement.

In his statement, Dilian argued that trial evidence contradicted the prosecutor’s findings and failed to connect the defendants to the intelligence service’s alleged “interferences.”

Dilian has previously maintained that his surveillance products are sold exclusively to government entities, making those governments responsible for lawful usage of the technology.