File photo. [InTime News]
The trial of four company executives linked to Greece’s Predator spyware scandal is scheduled for March 5 at Athens’ first instance court. The defendants face misdemeanor charges for breaching communication privacy laws.
The charges are based on a 300-page report by Supreme Court Deputy Prosecutor Achilleas Zisis, who implicated the companies responsible for the illegal Predator software but absolved Greece’s National Security Service (EYP) and other government entities. Zisis’ nine-month investigation sparked political controversy even before the report’s release.
The accused allegedly attempted to spy on 116 individuals, including politicians and journalists, by exploiting malicious links to access their communications. Two breaches were confirmed, involving journalist Thanasis Koukakis and Artemis Seaford, a former Meta employee, who inadvertently activated the spyware. Other high-profile targets, such as socialist PASOK party leader Nikos Androulakis, evaded monitoring by avoiding the links.
The defendants are charged with unlawfully accessing private communication systems and data, violating privacy and data protection laws. The Zisis report, which drew widespread criticism, recommended that the allegations be tested in court to establish their merit.