A Greek court has handed down an eight-year prison sentence to Tal Dilian, the founder of Intellexa, a group specializing in spyware development, for engaging in illegal wiretapping and infringing on privacy rights. This verdict comes amidst a broader investigation into a scandal that has been labeled as "Greek Watergate," which surfaced in 2022.
The trial also implicated three other executives from Intellexa, including Dilian's business partner, Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, along with Felix Bitzios, a former deputy administrator and shareholder, and Yiannis Lavranos, who owned a company associated with Intellexa. All were found guilty of participating in activities that involved the unauthorized surveillance of politicians, journalists, and military officials using advanced spyware.
While Dilian has not publicly commented on the ruling, the implications of this case extend beyond Greece's borders. In 2024, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on Intellexa and its affiliates, including Dilian and Hamou, due to their involvement in the creation of the Predator spyware, which was reportedly used to target American citizens, including government officials and members of the press.
The court has mandated further investigations into the matter and has placed the sentence on hold pending an appeal, suggesting that this high-profile case may continue to evolve as more details come to light.
