A report published by the Greek newspaper TA NEA outlines at least 10 key points that appear to raise questions about possible links between the Predator spyware network, private individuals and state actors, despite efforts in the early stages of the judicial probe to rule out such connections.

In its initial phase, the investigation did not examine several key aspects of the case, while critical witnesses were not called and alleged victims were not asked to testify. There were also allegations that expert witnesses were given instructions aimed at altering findings related to overlapping surveillance by Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) and Predator, and no review of the malicious SMS messages used in the operation.

Beyond references contained in a court ruling, additional elements appear to indicate links between the two businessmen convicted at first instance, Yiannis Lavranos and Felix Bitzios, and individuals described as key figures in the case.

These links are described as spanning from early efforts to introduce and deploy the Israeli-developed Predator system in Greece to a later phase involving the surveillance of at least 100 individuals, including politicians, public officials, senior military officers, business figures and journalists, as well as the financing of the software.

The 10 points are as follows:

1. Grigoris Dimitriadis — a senior government figure who resigned in 2022 — was the godfather of a child of businessman Yiannis Lavranos, who is described as a close associate of Felix Bitzios, a senior figure (deputy administrator) at Intellexa, the company linked to the development of Predator. Dimitriadis has stated publicly that he knew Lavranos.
2. According to witness testimony during the judicial investigation, Israeli individuals seeking to promote the Predator software in Greece pursued meetings with Lavranos through Bitzios, a move that could potentially facilitate access to government services.
3. Regarding the appointment of the head of EYP, who, according to both the investigation and court proceedings, signed off on surveillance operations that coincided with the use of Predator, a legislative amendment was introduced to address issues related to his formal qualifications. In testimony before a parliamentary inquiry committee, then-EYP chief Panagiotis Kontoleon said he kept Dimitriadis informed of his decisions.
4. The operational base for the Predator software, including data processing, was reportedly located within EYP facilities, specifically at the Center for Technological Support, Development and Innovation (KETYAK) in the Athens suburb of Agia Paraskevi. A senior police officer, who has recently retired, and had been reassigned to EYP was said to have played a central role, along with a team that included officers from the organized crime division of the Hellenic Police.
5. Lavranos is reported to have traveled to Israel in 2022 with then-Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos.
6. When the surveillance of PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis by EYP came to light in 2022  (he was also targeted by the Predator software) Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis requested the resignations of both Kontoleon and Dimitriadis.
7. Dozens of individuals identified as Predator targets also appeared on EYP surveillance lists. When official monitoring by EYP ended, targeting via Predator allegedly began. The operators of the Predator software appear to have accessed data from Greece’s social security digital system (IDIKA), which was used for COVID-19 vaccination appointments, in order to send misleading or malicious SMS messages.
8. A collaborator of Intellexa and former senior official at the Israeli Defense Ministry reportedly drafted a memorandum of cooperation between EYP and the relevant authority in North Macedonia on cybersecurity issues. The draft was sent electronically to EYP.
9. Stamatis Trimpalis, an associate of the convicted businessmen, has stated — and submitted supporting evidence — that when he testified before a parliamentary inquiry committee, he was asked pre-arranged questions by government lawmakers.
10. There have been reports of alleged instructions by judicial officials to two expert witnesses who issued findings aimed at separating EYP surveillance from Predator activity. This reportedly involved adding thousands of unrelated, lawful intelligence interceptions — such as those linked to smuggling, organized crime or espionage — making the overlap of at least 30 common targets between the two systems appear less significant.