The wiretapping scandal, often described as the most significant institutional crisis in Greece's post-dictatorship history, has returned to the forefront with renewed intensity. Following recent statements by Justice Minister Georgios Floridis, who defended the judiciary's decision to archive the portion of the investigation concerning state agency involvement, the opposition is launching a counter-attack. PASOK-KINAL spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas, in a high-stakes intervention, demanded the case be retrieved from the archives, emphasizing that the truth remains incomplete and the primary actors have yet to be held accountable.

The Conflict Over the Supreme Court Prosecutor's Finding

The epicenter of this new political storm is the finding by the Supreme Court Prosecutor, which concluded there was no "joint operations center" between the National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the private companies trading the illegal Predator spyware. Minister Floridis stated that "justice has concluded there is criminal liability for private individuals" and challenged anyone who thinks they have "something new" to present it to the authorities.

However, Tsoukalas countered this argument, asserting that the investigation was fundamentally flawed. According to the PASOK spokesperson, the judiciary failed to examine the links between individuals within the inner circle of executive power and the private spyware providers. "It is impossible to speak of a coincidence when dozens of EYP targets were simultaneously targets of Predator," he noted, referring to findings from the Data Protection Authority and the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE).

The Role of Dilian and Dimitriadis

Tsoukalas's proposal focuses on two specific individuals: Tal Dilian, the founder of Intellexa (the company distributing Predator), and Grigoris Dimitriadis, the former General Secretary to the Prime Minister. The opposition argues that the failure to summon these individuals for testimony represents a major gap in the investigative process.

  • Tal Dilian: The former Israeli intelligence officer is considered the mastermind behind Predator's proliferation in Greece. Despite sanctions from the US and complaints from international organizations, he was never called by Greek authorities to explain his company's activities.
  • Grigoris Dimitriadis: His resignation in August 2022 was directly linked to the surveillance revelations. Tsoukalas points out that the political responsibility he assumed then was not followed by a substantive judicial audit of his actions regarding EYP oversight.
"Democracy cannot reconcile with shadows. Reopening the case is not a political demand; it is a constitutional mandate," Tsoukalas declared.

The International Dimension and Pressure from Brussels

The wiretapping case is not confined within Greek borders. The European Parliament, through the PEGA committee, has repeatedly expressed concern over the state of the rule of law in Greece. The European Commission's recent Rule of Law Report includes recommendations for a full clarification of the case—something the Greek government appears to consider a closed chapter.

The government's strategy of citing "judicial independence" as a shield against political criticism is now under scrutiny. Legal experts point out that reopening a case from the archives is possible when "new facts" emerge. The opposition argues that data from independent authorities and investigative journalism (such as the identification of SMS messages sent to targets) constitute sufficient grounds for restarting the procedure.

The Stakes for the Rule of Law

The persistence of Tsoukalas and PASOK highlights a deeper crisis of trust in institutions. If the case remains archived without examining key witnesses, the message sent is that political power can operate beyond the reach of the law. This case serves as a stress test for the Greek judiciary: will it dare to investigate to the very end, or will it allow a sense of impunity to become entrenched?

In conclusion, Kostas Tsoukalas's move is not merely an opposition tactic. It is an attempt to keep the demand for accountability alive in a society that may be weary of endless political bickering but remains thirsty for justice. The coming weeks will be critical as pressure on the judicial leadership is expected to escalate, both from domestic actors and international observers.