Greece Supreme Court Prosecutor rejects reopening wiretapping scandal

wiretapping scandal Supreme Court Predator spyware judicial archive Greece

Greece's Supreme Court Prosecutor, Evangelos Bakelas, has rejected four separate requests to reopen the investigation into the national wiretapping scandal, opting to keep the case file archived.

The decision affects requests from former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, former Minister Christos Spirtzis, and attorney Zacharias Kesses, who represents several victims. Bakelas ruled that no new evidence has been submitted that would justify a renewed investigation beyond what was previously examined in prior probes and the trial involving the use of Predator spyware.

The prosecutor specifically noted that Tal Dilian, who has publicly claimed the spyware was sold to state entities, cannot be examined as a witness because his alleged involvement in the crimes precludes him from providing testimony under criminal law.

Political figures and legal representatives have criticized the decision, with lawyer Zacharias Kesses describing the ruling as "interpretive acrobatics" used to avoid substantive examination. Critics argue the continued archiving of the case, despite claims of state involvement and the use of illegal spyware, undermines democratic institutions and transparency.

Entities

Antonis Samaras · Christos Spirtzis · Court of Cassation (Greece) · Euaggelos Bakelas · Evangelos Bakélas · Evangelos Mpakelas · PASOK · PASOK – Movement for Change · Predator surveillance software · Tal Dilian · Zacharias Kesse · Zacharias Kesses

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 18 SOURCES] Bakélas said no new evidence had been presented to justify a new investigation. www.enikos.gr · www.protagon.gr · www.thestival.gr · best-tv.gr · www.larissapress.gr · +9 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Legal reasons cited include that witness Tal Dilian, who claimed to have sold the surveillance system to state entities, cannot be examined as a witness. www.enikos.gr · www.protagon.gr · www.thestival.gr · best-tv.gr · www.larissapress.gr · +9 more
[● 18 SOURCES] The original trial resulted in total sentences of 126 years of imprisonment for four private individuals. www.enikos.gr · www.protagon.gr · www.thestival.gr · best-tv.gr · www.larissapress.gr · +9 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Prosecutor Evangelos Bakélas rejected requests to reopen the telephone‑tapping case. www.enikos.gr · www.protagon.gr · www.thestival.gr
[DISPUTED] The case is expected to reappear in December when a trial before the Court of Appeals is scheduled. www.protagon.gr · best-tv.gr · www.larissapress.gr · thefaq.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · +8 more
[● 17 SOURCES] The prosecutor issued separate acts for each of the three requests. www.enikos.gr · www.thestival.gr · best-tv.gr · www.larissapress.gr · thefaq.gr · +8 more
[DISPUTED] The requests were filed by former prime minister Antonis Samaras, former minister Christos Spirtzis and lawyer Zacharias Kesse. www.enikos.gr · www.protagon.gr · www.thestival.gr · best-tv.gr · fouit.gr · +1 more
[DISPUTED] The case remains in the archive and will not be reopened. www.enikos.gr · www.protagon.gr · www.thestival.gr · best-tv.gr · www.larissapress.gr · +8 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The prosecutor issued separate decisions for each of the three requests. www.enikos.gr · www.protagon.gr · www.thestival.gr · best-tv.gr · fouit.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The case is expected to reappear in December when a hearing before the Court of Appeal is scheduled. www.protagon.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Legal reasons cited include that witness Tal Dilian, who claimed to have sold the surveillance equipment to state entities, cannot be examined as a witness. www.enikos.gr · www.protagon.gr · www.thestival.gr
[● 17 SOURCES] The requests were filed by former prime minister Antonis Samaras, former minister Christos Spirtzis, lawyer Zacharias Kesse and journalist Thanasis Koukas. best-tv.gr · www.larissapress.gr · thefaq.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · www.alfavita.gr · +8 more