Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Greek spyware inquiry ends in stalemate

Greek spyware inquiry ends in stalemate

Government and opposition disagree on disagreeing on findings of parliamentary inquiry.
Greece's national parliament has finished its investigation into the use of spyware by security services. Just don't ask lawmakers what the shared conclusions are.

Political parties late on Monday submitted their findings of the special parliamentary inquiry that was set up to investigate the spying scandal that has engulfed the government ever since allegations emerged that the government had been spying on political opposition.

The controversy started in August when the government acknowledged it had wiretapped opposition leader’s Nikos Androulakis' phone — a move it called legal but wrong. Two senior government officials, the government’s chief of staff and the head of the country’s National Intelligence Service (EYP), lost their jobs. It then quickly turned into an espionage thriller that involved controversial spyware Predator being planted on the phones of an ever-expanding network of politicians and journalists. But the government has claimed no connection to — or even knowledge of — these broader cases.

After weeks of hearings, the ruling party New Democracy this week said it considered the issue closed, doubling down on its defense that the surveillance was deemed legal by the investigation's findings.

New Democracy also said the hearings proved that there is no link between Predator spyware found on opposition figures' and journalists' phones on the one hand, and the country’s spy service on the other. "The opposition's allegations of a scandal surrounding the legal surveillance of Androulakis’ phone and the operation of the National Intelligence Service (EYP) collapsed like a house of cards," reads their conclusion.

But opposition parties, including Androulakis' Pasok party and the left-wing Syriza party, vehemently disagreed, accusing the government of a major cover-up in trying to brush aside the evidence laid out in the investigation.

Syriza blamed the New Democracy party, which holds the majority in the inquiry, for blocking key witnesses from appearing at the hearings, including journalists whose phones had been wiretapped or who had investigated the issue, as well as state officials from the police and Greek secret service. The government’s main concern was “not the truth and the unravelling of the case but the cover-up and the disappearance of evidence that could lead to the attribution of not only political but also possible criminal responsibility.”

“Further investigation of the case both by the Greek parliament with all available parliamentary means, including the preliminary investigation committee, and by the criminal justice system is needed,” Syriza said.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia and the United States Strengthen Ties Amid Global Developments
Saudi Arabia Hosts Global Conference to Promote Islamic Unity
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Education and Child Development
Saudi Arabia Announces Competition for Best Founding Day Outfits
Saudi-EU Food Security Officials Hold Talks to Strengthen Collaboration
Putin Expresses Gratitude to Saudi Crown Prince for Hosting US-Russia Talks
UK and Saudi Arabia Enhance Collaboration in Innovation and Technology
Denmark's Embassy in Riyadh Showcases Danish Cuisine with Saudi Influence
Saudi Artist Salman Al-Amir Unveils 'Tafawut' Exhibition in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Kuwait Following Military Exercise Fatalities
Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs Completes Ramadan Preparations in Madinah
Etidal Secretary-General Hosts UN Counter-Terrorism Director in Riyadh
ADNOC Drilling Targets Over $1 Billion in Investments for 2025 Amid Gulf Expansion Plans
Derayah Financial Achieves Remarkable Growth in Saudi Brokerage and Asset Management
Saudi Arabia Shortlists 30 Firms for Mining Licenses in Eastern Province and Tabuk
Saudi Foreign Minister Engages Counterparts at G20 Meeting in Johannesburg
Oil Prices Decline Amid Rising US Inventories
Saudi Arabia's NDMC Plans Green Bond Issuance by 2025
Moody’s Affirms Egypt’s Caa1 Rating Amid Positive Economic Outlook
Oman and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Economic Ties with New Agreements
Saudi Arabia Investments Propel Expansion of Qurayyah Power Plant
Saudi Capital Market Authority Advances SPACs and Direct Listings
Global Energy Leaders Gather in Riyadh for Symposium on Energy Outlooks
Al-Ahsa Region Sees 500% Growth in Tourism as Saudi Arabia Prioritizes Development
Saudi Arabia Advances Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Al-Ahsa with New Agreement
King Salman Approves Official Saudi Riyal Symbol
Saudi Credit Card Lending Reaches $8.4 Billion Amid Digital Payment Expansion
King Salman Approves Official Symbol for Saudi Riyal
Putin Thanks Saudi Crown Prince for Facilitating U.S.-Russia Discussions
Saudi Foreign Minister Attends G20 Meeting in Johannesburg
Saudi Arabia Prepares for Nationwide Founding Day Celebrations
Inauguration of Hira Park and Walkway Enhances Jeddah's Urban Landscape
Crown Prince Hosts Leaders for Informal Meeting in Riyadh Amid Gaza Rebuilding Plans
Saudi Official Highlights Achievements and Media's Role in National Transformation
Three Expatriate Women Arrested for Prostitution in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Evolution Highlighted at Saudi Media Forum
Healthy Eating and Preparation Essential for Ramadan Fasting
Saudi Arabia and Japan Forge Sustainable Textile Partnership
Advanced Limb Surgery Restores Mobility in Pediatric Cancer Patient
Jeddah Event Explores AI's Role in Boosting Saudi Arabia's SME Sector
UN Representative Highlights AI's Role in Perpetuating Gender Stereotypes
Saudi and Jordanian Leaders Discuss Enhanced Security Cooperation in Amman
Saudi British Society Honors Cultural Bridge-Builders at London Gala
Saudi Media Forum 2025 Explores AI's Role in Modern Journalism
Saudi Arabia's Saqer Al-Moqbel Appointed as WTO General Council President for 2025–2026
Saudi Deputy Ministers Engage in Diplomatic Discussions with U.S. and Dutch Officials in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia to Launch Iftar Program in 61 Countries During Ramadan
Saudi Visitors Expected to Spend £942 Million in UK During 2025
Saudi Arabia Gifts Kaaba's Kiswah to Uzbekistan's Center of Islamic Civilization
Digital Cooperation Organization Concludes Fourth General Assembly with Multiple Agreements
×