Four individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses related to violation of confidentiality in communications, all emanating from the explosive Predator-gate case, are set to go on trial on March 5.
The trial date was announced after the completion of a lengthy investigation by Supreme Court Deputy Chief Prosecutor Achilleas Zisis, which shelved a good portion of the case’s substance and results in only the four misdemeanor indictments.
The four defendants had professional affiliation – either ownership or legal representation – with the companies trafficking the notorious spyware and involved with illegal phone tapping.
The entire case, dubbed “predator-gate” by the local media generated a firestorm of media attention and political criticism of the current government. Allegations and charges of mass eavesdropping against politicians, journalists and even top military officers using the spyware have been aired, after it was revealed that the Greek Intelligence Service (EYP) had previously requested and was granted a warrant to tap the mobile phone of then MEP Nikos Androulakis – who was subsequently elected as the leader of the PASOK party.
The Zisis investigation cites “sufficient indications” to proceed with the indictment and tabling of misdemeanor charges against the four individuals.