Spyware maker sentenced to prison in Greece for wiretapping politicians and journalists

In a significant legal development, a Greek court has sentenced Tal Dilian, the founder of Intellexa, to eight years behind bars for engaging in illegal wiretapping and violating privacy laws. This verdict comes as part of a high-profile case often referred to as the 'Greek Watergate,' stemming from events that unfolded in 2022. Dilian, along with three other executives from Intellexa, faced trial for their involvement in the scandal, which saw the Greek government accused of using Intellexa's spyware to intercept communications of politicians, journalists, business leaders, and military personnel. The court's ruling also included sentences for Dilian's business partner, Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou; Felix Bitzios, a former deputy administrator and shareholder of Intellexa; and Yiannis Lavranos, who had ties to the company. This case marks a historic moment as it represents the first time a spyware developer has been sentenced to prison due to the misuse of their technology. In 2024, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on Intellexa and its affiliates, including Dilian and Hamou, citing their involvement in creating the Predator spyware, which was reportedly used to target American officials and journalists. Following the court's decision, authorities have been directed to conduct further investigations, while the execution of the sentence has been temporarily stayed pending an appeal.