Greek Court Convicts Intellexa Founder and Three Associates in Predator Spyware Case
Summary
A Greek court convicted Intellexa founder Tal Dilian and three associates over unlawful access and privacy violations tied to Predator spyware. Their combined sentences exceed 126 years, but Greek law limits time served to eight years; they remain free pending appeal.
Key points
- An Athens court found Tal Dilian, Sara Hamou, Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos guilty of unlawful access and privacy and data-law violations.
- The combined sentences exceed 126 years, but Greek law limits the time served to eight years; the defendants remain free while their appeals proceed.
- Local reports said Predator was used to target more than 90 people in Greece in 2020–2021, including journalists, politicians, government ministers, intelligence operatives, and prosecutors.
- The court ordered prosecutors to investigate whether additional espionage charges are warranted.
- Citizen Lab found Predator on journalist Thanasis Koukakis’s device between July and September 2021.
- Experts said the convictions could constrain Intellexa executives’ international operations; the article also notes that Predator infrastructure continues to be detected worldwide.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Greek court convictions and sentencing of four people in connection with the Predator spyware scandal.
- Impact
- The court found the four defendants guilty of unlawful access and privacy and data-law violations. Their combined sentences exceed 126 years, but Greek law limits the time they will serve to eight years; they remain free pending appeal. Predator was reported to have targeted more than 90 people in Greece during 2020–2021. The verdict may affect Intellexa’s operations and prompt investigation of possible additional espionage charges.
People
Threat Actors
Felix BitziosFormer deputy administrator of Intellexa and one of four defendants the Greek court found guilty of unlawful access and privacy and data-law violations connected to the Predator spyware scandal.Sara HamouIntellexa associate who provided managerial services to the consortium; one of four defendants the Greek court found guilty of unlawful access and privacy and data-law violations connected to the Predator spyware scandal.Tal DilianIntellexa founder and one of four defendants the Greek court found guilty of unlawful access and privacy and data-law violations connected to the Predator spyware scandal.Yiannis LavranosOne of four defendants the Greek court found guilty of unlawful access and privacy and data-law violations connected to the Predator spyware scandal. The article reports that his company, Krikel, allegedly purchased Predator.
Malware
Vendors
IntellexaA Greek court convicted Intellexa founder Tal Dilian and three associates for unlawful access and privacy violations connected to the Predator spyware, handing down a combined sentence of over 126 years that is limitedKrikelLavranos’s company, Krikel — a surveillance tools supplier — allegedly purchased Predator, the spyware made by Intellexa that was used to snoop on more than 90 Greeks from 2020-2021, local news reports said.
Products
Countries
AngolaOn February 18, Amnesty International revealed that Predator was used to infect the phone of a prominent press freedom advocate in Angola in 2024.GreeceThe convictions could have a devastating effect on Intellexa, experts said, even if the defendants flee to a jurisdiction that does not extradite to Greece.Taiwanmembers of civil society worldwide along with the president of the European Parliament, the president of Taiwan and U.S.United Statescivil society worldwide along with the president of the European Parliament, the president of Taiwan and U.S.
Industries
GovernmentPredator spyware was used to target more than 90 Greeks, including a financial journalist, opposition politicians, government ministers, intelligence operatives, and prosecutors.intelligencePredator spyware was used to target more than 90 Greeks, including a financial journalist, opposition politicians, government ministers, intelligence operatives, and prosecutors.