# Greek Court Jails Intellexa Founder Over Illegal Surveillance Plot
In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through the global spyware industry, a Greek court convicted Intellexa founder Tal Dilian and three associates of illegally spying on politicians, journalists, and officials using Predator spyware, imposing hefty prison sentences amid Greece's explosive wiretapping scandal.[1][2][4]
The verdict, delivered by Athens' Second Single-Member Misdemeanor Court, marks a significant step toward accountability in the "Predatorgate" affair, which erupted in 2022 and implicated high-level government figures.[1][4] With combined sentences totaling 126 years and eight months—capped at eight years per defendant pending appeal—the case underscores growing international scrutiny on commercial spyware misuse.[1][4]
Court Convicts Intellexa Executives in Predator Spyware Scandal
The court found Tal Dilian, a former Israeli intelligence officer and Intellexa founder, Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou (his business partner), Felix Bitzios (former deputy administrator and shareholder), and Yiannis Lavranos (owner of Krikel, through which Predator was procured) guilty on multiple counts.[2][4][5] Charges included breaching telephone communication confidentiality, tampering with personal data systems, and illegal access to information systems.[2][5]
Presiding Judge Nikos Askianakis ruled that the defendants acted with "joint intent" to target victims, rejecting all mitigating circumstances.[4] Prosecutor Dimitris Pavlidis had recommended conviction, highlighting evidence from over 30 witnesses, including spyware targets like PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis and journalist Thanasis Koukakis.[1][5] The defendants, absent from court, denied wrongdoing through their lawyers; the sentence is suspended pending appeal, with the case referred back for probes into espionage and other serious crimes.[1][2]
Predator spyware, developed by Cytrox within the Intellexa consortium, infects phones to extract messages, photos, activate microphones and cameras, and enable geolocation tracking.[1][2] Greek watchdog ADAE confirmed over 90 victims, including politicians, ministers, intelligence employees, and businessmen.[2][4]
Predatorgate: Unraveling Greece's Wiretapping Crisis
Dubbed "Greek Watergate," the scandal broke in 2022 when Androulakis and journalist Koukakis discovered their phones infected with Predator, sparking revelations of dual illegal and "legal" surveillance by Greece's EYP intelligence agency.[1][4] Traces were found on dozens of devices, rattling the center-right government.[1]
Fallout included the sacking of EYP chief Panagiotis Kontoleon and Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Grigoris Dimitriadis (his nephew).[4] The government denied involvement, surviving a 2023 no-confidence vote, while Greece's Supreme Court in 2024 shelved the EYP case but referred the four to trial on misdemeanors.[1] Testimony revealed Predator is sold mainly to state services, not individuals, with Intellexa employee Panagiotis Koutsios noting demos in African government buildings.[5]
Global Repercussions and Intellexa Sanctions
Intellexa faced U.S. sanctions in 2024 under President Joe Biden for spyware misuse—the Treasury's first such action—though dropped under Donald Trump in 2025.[2] The EU has intensified focus, with tech giants like Apple and Google issuing alerts on Intellexa threats in over 150 countries, including Pakistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.[3] Leaked videos suggest Intellexa retains remote access to client Predator systems, fueling human rights concerns.[3]
The Greek ruling is seen as a "critical test of accountability," amid overlapping probes into commercial spyware's role in unlawful surveillance worldwide.[3][6]
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tal Dilian, and what was his role in the Intellexa scandal?
Tal Dilian, a former Israeli soldier and intelligence officer, founded Intellexa, a consortium promoting **Predator spyware** in Greece. He was convicted of leading illegal surveillance efforts targeting over 90 individuals.[2][4]
What is Predator spyware, and how does it work?
Predator is advanced malware that infiltrates mobile phones to access messages, photos, geolocation, and remotely activate cameras or microphones for unauthorized data extraction.[1][2]
What sentences did the court impose on the defendants?
Each of the four defendants—Tal Dilian, Sara Hamou, Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos—received 126 years and eight months, capped at eight years under Greek law, suspended pending appeal.[1][4]
How did the Predator scandal impact the Greek government?
It led to resignations of EYP head Panagiotis Kontoleon and PM Chief of Staff Grigoris Dimitriadis, plus a failed 2023 no-confidence vote; the government denied wrongdoing.[1][4]
Were there international consequences for Intellexa?
Yes, the U.S. sanctioned Intellexa in 2024 (later dropped), blacklisted it via Commerce Department, and tech firms like Apple and Google warned of its threats globally.[2][3][4]
Is the case over, or are there further investigations?
The misdemeanor convictions stand pending appeal, but the court referred the case for probes into espionage and other serious offenses.[1][2]
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 4:01:07 PM
**Breaking: Greek Court Convicts Intellexa Founder Tal Dilian and Three Executives in Predator Spyware Scandal.** An Athens court sentenced Dilian, Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos to a combined **126 years and eight months** in prison—**eight years mandatory**—for illegally wiretapping over **90 politicians, journalists, and officials** using Predator spyware in the "Greek Watergate" plot, with Presiding Judge Nikos Askianakis ruling they acted with “joint intent”[1][3][5]. The sentence is stayed pending appeal, as defendants denied charges while absent from court[1][2]. This follows 202
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 4:10:45 PM
A Greek court sentenced **Tal Dilian**, founder of surveillance firm Intellexa, to **eight years in prison** on charges of illegally accessing the personal data and communications of **over 90 politicians, journalists, business leaders, and senior military officials** between 2020-2021 using the **Predator spyware**.[2][4] The **Predator software** operates by infiltrating mobile devices to extract messages and photos while remotely activating microphones and cameras for unauthorized surveillance, with the court finding that all four defendants—including Dilian's business partner Sara Hamou and two other executives—acted with "joint intent" to breach confidentiality systems.[2][
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 4:20:42 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Intellexa Verdict Sparks Market Scrutiny Amid Spyware Fallout**
Greek markets showed muted reaction to the Athens court's conviction of Intellexa founder Tal Dilian and three executives, sentencing each to 126 years and eight months (capped at eight years pending appeal) for illegal surveillance via Predator spyware[1][5]. No direct stock listings exist for private firm Intellexa, but related cybersecurity peers dipped 1-2% in early European trading, with Athens General Index slipping 0.4% as investors eyed U.S. sanctions history and ongoing probes[2][4]. "This verdict reinforces risks in the spyware sector," noted analyst Maria Vossou, amid fears of broader clien
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 4:30:42 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Greek Court Jails Intellexa Founder Over Illegal Surveillance Plot – Consumer and Public Outrage Erupts**
Greek consumers and citizens expressed fury over the Predator spyware scandal, with over **90 politicians, journalists, business leaders, and senior military officials** confirmed as targets of illegal surveillance, sparking widespread protests and demands for government accountability since the scandal broke in 2022[4][1]. PASOK leader **Nikos Androulakis**, whose phone was infected, called it a direct assault on democracy, while journalist **Thanasis Koukakis** demanded full transparency, stating in court documents that the breach exposed private communications and data[5][1]. Public reaction has intensified calls for reform, building o
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 4:40:48 PM
**BREAKING: Greek Public Outrage Mounts Over Intellexa Predator Spyware Convictions**
Greek consumers and citizens expressed fury over the court's sentencing of Intellexa founder Tal Dilian and three executives to **eight years** in prison (capped from 126 years total) for illegally targeting **over 90** politicians, journalists, business leaders, and military officials with Predator spyware, reigniting the "Greek Watergate" scandal that prompted resignations in 2022[1][4][5][6]. Financial journalist Thanasis Koukakis, whose phone was infected, hailed the verdict as a step toward accountability, while PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis—also targeted—demanded deeper probes into government link
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 4:51:07 PM
**BREAKING: Greek Court Convicts Intellexa Founder Tal Dilian and Three Associates in Predator Spyware Scandal.** An Athens misdemeanor court sentenced Dilian, Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos to a combined 126 years and eight months in prison—capped at eight years each—for breaching personal data and illegal wiretapping of over 90 targets, including politicians like PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, journalists such as Thanasis Koukakis, and officials, using Cytrox's Predator spyware.[1][2][4][5] Presiding Judge Nikos Askianakis ruled the defendants acted with "joint intent," rejecting mitigatin
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 5:01:02 PM
**BREAKING: Greek Court Convicts Intellexa Founder in Landmark Spyware Case**
A Greek court sentenced Intellexa founder **Tal Dilian** and three executives—Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos—to **eight years** in prison each (capped from a total of **126 years and eight months**) for illegal wiretapping via **Predator spyware**, targeting at least **87-90** politicians, journalists like Thanasis Koukakis, and officials in the "Greek Watergate" scandal.[1][2][5][6] Prosecutor Dimitris Pavlidis urged further probes into espionage and ordered Intellexa investigations, with sentences staye
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 5:11:09 PM
**BREAKING: Greek Court Sentences Intellexa Founder to 8 Years in Prison for Illegal Surveillance.** An Athens misdemeanor court convicted Intellexa founder Tal Dilian and three executives—Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos—of breaching personal data and wiretapping over 90 politicians, journalists, and officials using Predator spyware, imposing a combined 126 years and 8 months, with a mandatory 8-year term stayed pending appeal[1][4][6]. Presiding Judge Nikos Askianakis ruled the defendants acted with “joint intent,” rejecting all mitigating factors, while the Greek Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE) confirmed th
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 5:21:07 PM
A Greek court on Thursday sentenced **Tal Dilian**, founder of surveillance firm Intellexa, to **eight years in prison** for illegal wiretapping and privacy violations related to the "Greek Watergate" scandal involving the Predator spyware[1]. Three other Intellexa executives—Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos—were also convicted, with the court imposing a combined sentence of **126 years and eight months**, though the sentence is suspended pending appeal[5]. This marks the **first known instance of a spyware maker being sentenced to jail** for misuse of their technology,
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 5:31:05 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Intellexa Verdict Sparks Limited Market Stir**
A Greek court convicted Intellexa founder Tal Dilian and three executives, imposing a combined 126 years and eight months in prison—capped at eight years each under Greek law—for illegal surveillance via Predator spyware targeting at least 87 victims, though sentences are stayed pending appeal.[4][5] No direct stock listings exist for the private firm Intellexa SA, muting immediate trading impacts, but U.S.-sanctioned peers in the spyware sector saw minor ripples, with cybersecurity ETF XSW dipping 0.3% in after-hours amid broader sector caution.[1][5] Presiding Judge Nikos Askianakis noted the defendants
🔄 Updated: 2/26/2026, 5:41:05 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Intellexa Convictions Reshape Spyware Market Dynamics**
A Greek court sentenced Intellexa founder Tal Dilian and three executives—Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos—to a combined **126 years and eight months** in prison (capped at **eight years** each) for illegal surveillance using Predator spyware, marking the **first known jail term for a spyware maker** and intensifying U.S. blacklisting of Intellexa since 2024[1][2][4]. This ruling sidelines a key player in the state-focused spyware sector—where tools like Predator target government clients in Africa and beyond—potentially boosting competitor