European Parliament Report Condemns Spyware Abuses in Greece

Dutch MEP and president of the spyware investigation committee Sophie in 't Veld presents draft findings of the inquiry in Brussels, November 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET

MEPs said that in Greece, "there are patterns suggesting that the Greek government enables the use of spyware against journalists, politicians and businesspersons, the export of spyware to countries with poor human rights records, and provides a training centre for third country agents that want to familiarise themselves with spyware".

The surveillance scandal in Greece gained momentum in the summer of 2022 when it was revealed that Nikos Androulakis, head of PASOK-KINAL, the third-largest party in the Greek parliament, almost fell victim to the Predator surveillance software and was bugged by the Greek secret services, EYP.

In November 2021, the Greek newspaper EFSYN also reported that BIRN contributor Stavros Malihoudis's mobile phone was under surveillance by EYP.

In April 2022, Greek investigative media outlet Inside Story then disclosed that Greek journalist Thanasis Koukakis's mobile phone had been monitored by the illegal spyware Predator and by EYP.

The New York Times also revealed that the Greek government "admitted that it gave the company, Intellexa, licenses to sell Predator to at least one country with a history of repression, Madagascar".

In its draft report, the European Parliament committee said that the spyware, which was sometimes used alongside legal interception, was used as a tool for control by the top political leadership in the country.

The European Parliament's lead investigator on the use of spyware, Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld, said that she intended to keep pursuing the issue until justice is...