About this Episode
In this episode of Greek News in English, we explore investigative findings revealing how Grigoris Dimitriadis—the Prime Minister's nephew and General Secretary—engaged in business activities despite legal prohibitions tied to his government role. We examine connections between his transactions and companies linked directly or indirectly to Predator spyware used against journalist Thanasis Koukakis and firms supplying surveillance systems to Greece's National Intelligence Service (EYP). The discussion highlights key dates from 2019-2021, examines corporate relationships involving Intellexa and Krikel amidst broader spying scandals under PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s oversight. Based on an extensive report by Reporters United published June 3rd 2022.
Article Discussed: "Ο Μεγάλος Ανιψιός κι ο Μεγάλος Αδερφός"
Author: Νικόλας ΛεοντόπουλοςΘοδωρής Χονδρόγιαννος
https://www.reportersunited.gr/8948/o-megalos-anipsios-ki-o-megalos-aderfos/
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Episode Transcript
Luca: Welcome to Greek News in English! Today, we're diving into a complex investigation involving Grigoris Dimitriadis, the General Secretary of the Prime Minister and nephew of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The story uncovers his business activities despite legal incompatibilities and connections to companies linked with illegal surveillance software.
Lane: That's right, Luca. This episode explores how Dimitriadis engaged in business transactions while holding a government position, and how those dealings connect indirectly or directly to companies trading the Predator spyware—software used to hack journalist Thanasis Koukakis's phone—and supplying surveillance systems to the Greek public sector.
Luca: So let's break down what actually happened. In July 2019, soon after Mitsotakis took office, he appointed Dimitriadis as General Secretary with an office inside the Maximos Mansion. Then by December 2019, Dimitriadis founded Eledyn, a company involved in renewable energy production and sales.
Lane: Exactly. Despite laws suspending professional or business activity for people in such government roles, Dimitriadis both founded Eledyn and fully funded it with €50,000 capital. The company was registered at his law office's address in Kolonaki. Interestingly, Eledyn could participate in public sector tenders but never did before dissolving later.
Luca: The plot thickens when Eledyn acquired another company called Canalis in January 2020 for €1,000. Then in May 2021, Dimitriadis sold Canalis for €166,513 to B&F—a clothing company represented by businessman Vasilis Bitharas. This sale happened while Dimitriadis was still General Secretary.
Lane: And here's where connections get intriguing: Bitharas is linked through business ties to entities involved with Intellexa—the company that trades Predator spyware—and Krikel, which reportedly supplied surveillance software to Greece's National Intelligence Service (EYP). Both companies operated during Dimitriadis's tenure under Mitsotakis's supervision of EYP.
Luca: Right. To add context: after Koukakis's phone was hacked using Predator in mid-2021, investigations revealed that Greek authorities didn't deny using such spyware but claimed no official transactions with these companies occurred. Meanwhile, legal changes prevented Koukakis from being informed about surveillance against him.
Lane: Moreover, sources indicated Dimitriadis might have been involved in pushing those legal changes—though he denies any participation or conflict of interest regarding his business dealings or legislative actions related to this case.
Luca: The web of transactions continues: B&F later acquired Ventus from Panagiotis Bitzios—brother of Felix Bitzios who held management roles at Intellexa during 2020-2021. While family ties alone don't prove wrongdoing, these overlapping relationships raise questions given the broader surveillance scandal.
Lane: Also worth noting is that George Bitharas holds a 50% stake alongside Krikel in another company connected to these networks. So the businessman who bought Canalis from Dimitriadis is partnered with a firm implicated in supplying spying software to the state—while Dimitriadis managed government oversight over intelligence services.
Luca: Both Dimitriadis and Bitharas have denied any illegal activity or involvement with surveillance operations when questioned by Reporters United. They emphasize their commercial transactions were lawful and reject attempts linking them to 'sinister' scenarios as defamatory.
Lane: Still unanswered is whether Prime Minister Mitsotakis knew about his nephew's business ventures and their indirect links to companies tied to illegal spyware trade and state contracts during his supervision of the intelligence service. Reporters United sought comment from Mitsotakis but received no response.
Luca: So what does this all mean? The investigation sheds light on possible conflicts between government roles and private interests within Greece’s highest offices amid a sensitive spying scandal involving journalists' privacy violations.
Lane: It also raises broader concerns about transparency and accountability when officials hold influential positions while engaging commercially with entities connected—even tangentially—to controversial security technologies implicated in abuses against press freedom.
Luca: To sum up: Grigoris Dimitriadis began business activities despite laws forbidding it for his role; he transacted companies linked through intermediaries with firms trading illegal spyware used against journalists; all while overseeing intelligence services under Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s authority.
Lane: And despite denials from involved parties and lack of direct evidence proving wrongdoing beyond association patterns documented by Reporters United’s thorough research, these revelations highlight serious questions about governance ethics during this period in Greece’s political landscape.
Luca: Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into one of Greece’s most intricate political investigations recently uncovered. We’ll keep following developments closely here on Greek News in English — until next time!
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