In the ongoing investigation uncovering illicit surveillance practices in Greece, driven by the notorious Predator spyware crafted by Intellexa, public attention remains riveted on the unfolding saga. Each passing day sees diligent journalists peeling away layers of secrecy, exposing the calculated maneuvers employed by key figures to obscure their roles in this scandalous affair.
On Friday, Inside Story, a respected Greek media outlet, detonated a “bombshell” with their revealing exposé. They detailed a network involving approximately 20 individuals, comprised of both Greeks and Israelis, who had previous ties with Intellexa. These individuals are now purportedly linked to three specific Greek companies: ADDAPP Technologies, IANUS Consulting, and Remote Greece.
According to the Inside Story report, ADDAPP Technologies, IANUS Consulting and Remote Greece have been implicated as channels for compensating former Intellexa employees. However, the precise nature of the relationship between these companies and Intellexa, which is owned by Tal Dilian and Felix Bitzio, remains shrouded in uncertainty.
This revelation holds profound significance, given the gravity of the US sanctions imposed on Intellexa. These sanctions not only bar any other company from engaging in business with Intellexa but also forbid the provision of facilities to the company Predator and its shareholders.
The Inside Story report highlights the case of a Greek former Intellexa employee who is now employed by Remote Greece, despite living and working in the United Arab Emirates. It’s noteworthy that Intellexa relocated its operations to the UAE immediately after its departure from Greece.
When questioned by Inside Story, Remote Greece was asked if it had entered into any service contracts with Intellexa S.A. or with other legal entities and natural persons associated with it. The international communications director of Remote responded that “Remote is a technology company that enables businesses to hire and pay individuals living in 200+ countries,” and he also stated that Remote’s policy and applicable data protection laws prevent them from disclosing information about their clients or individuals working through Remote.
This response implies that Remote appears as the employer of former Intellexa employees, in place of the actual employer, who remains unknown.
IANUS Consulting was approached by Inside Story to comment on the fact that five out of six of its employees are former Intellexa staffers. The management of IANUS was asked if it has any direct or indirect relationship with Intellexa or other companies related to it, and if IANUS could be considered a successor corporate entity of Intellexa S.A. or other companies related to it. IANUS Consulting did not respond to Inside Story.
Additionally, Inside Story reached out to ADDAPP Technologies, a company reportedly employing three former Intellexa staff members from Israel. The response came from Business Center Offices (BCO), which offers tax domicile and business address services to ADDAPP. Significantly, BCO provides services to Intellexa’s affiliated companies, like Apollo Technologies and Hermes Technologies, which are owned by Sara Hamou, spouse of Tal Dilian. (both Hamou and Dilian have been sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury).
BCO disclosed to Inside Story that the accounting services provider for ADDAPP Technologies is Interlog, an accounting and consulting firm known to collaborate with Intellexa. Upon contacting the owner of Interlog, journalists were met with a claim of ignorance regarding the employment status of ADDAPP Technologies’ staff. The owner added that they were unable to comment on matters pertaining to Intellexa.
From all the above, it has been revealed that a critical core of highly specialized former Intellexa employees, are currently providing their services under the umbrella of new companies in Greece. While there is no concrete evidence linking these companies to Intellexa, the investigation has uncovered connections that cannot be dismissed as mere coincidences.
This revelation serves as yet another damning indictment of the tangled web of relationships and interests that underpin the surveillance industry. It underscores the need for rigorous oversight and accountability measures to safeguard against abuses of power and violations of privacy rights.
As journalistic investigations unfold, all eyes are fixed on the Greek deputy prosecutor, who has spent six months meticulously examining the case. Yet, concerns have emerged over delays in the proceedings. Greek political parties, European institutions, and international observers are closely tracking the developments of Predatorgate, acknowledged as one of Greece’s most significant political scandals in fifty years.
Notably, the active involvement of the Greek Prime Minister’s Office and the Greek National Security Agency in the scandal significantly elevates the stakes of the investigation, underscoring its gravity.
