Greece’s alternate foreign affairs minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis admitted that the New Democracy government (EPP) granted permission to export the illegal Predator spyware to Sudan, now facing a dramatic civil war.
But speaking to Realfm, the minister insisted that “the export license given to Predator and Sudan has nothing to do with the civil war. The civil war was not caused by this.”
His statement exposed the government, which has so far denied it, with government spokesperson Giannis Oikonomou describing Syriza’s (EU Left) questions on the matter as a “conspiracy”.
Greek opposition asks if government exported ‘Predator’ to Sudan
Greece’s main opposition leftist Syriza party on Sunday asked the government whether it has exported Predator illegal spyware to Sudan, which currently is on the verge of civil war.
The issue of granting export licences was first reported by investigative outlet Inside Story and the New York Times, prompting the European Commission to demand an explanation.
However, Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis recently revealed that the Greek authorities have not replied to a request for information sent on 14 February.
Syriza MEPs are pressing the Commission to shed light on the case with successive questions while Renew Europe MEP calls on Dombrovskis to take action.
Two months ago the @EU_Commission asked GR?? & CY?? about the export of #Predator spyware to Sudan. In view of events in Sudan, can @VDombrovskis confirm if any clarification has been received by now? If not, what action will be taken to ensure the Dual Use Regulation is upheld? pic.twitter.com/lWM1k7Nwh7
— Sophie in 't Veld (@SophieintVeld) April 17, 2023
Earlier this month, EURACTIV was informed that the EU prosecutor had launched an investigation over the so-called “Predatorgate”, including the matter of export licenses.
Two different sources told EURACTIV that the EU prosecutor has, in recent weeks, received specific information from Greek journalists investigating the wiretapping scandal.
“The persons who testified to the prosecutors submitted evidence proving that the administration of (Prime Minister) Kyriakos Mitsotakis facilitated the proliferation of Intellexa’s Predator spyware to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Madagascar, and Bangladesh by granting export licences through the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” one source close to the matter said.
On a legal level, the EU prosecutor is examining whether the Greek government violated Regulation (EU) 2021/821 for the so-called “dual-use” products (i.e. products that require a special export licence because they can also be used in order to cause harm) to favour the Greek company Intellexa.
(Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
