The decision by the Greek Supreme Court to archive the case of Greece’s wiretapping scandal brought widespread accusations of an “institutional deviation” and “provocative cover-up” from opposition parties, and legal experts.
On Monday, April 27, 2026, Konstantinos Tzavellas, the Supreme Court Prosecutor, issued an order to archive the case, arguing that no substantively new evidence was presented to justify reopening the investigation.
The decision came just one business day after lawyer Zacharias Kesses, who represents victims of the Predator spyware, formally notified the Supreme Court of his intent to submit new, confidential evidence and announce six new lawsuits involving prominent figures, reportedly including a high-ranking official from the ruling party.
Critics, particularly Zacharias Kesses, point out that Prosecutor Tzavellas was the supervisor of the National Intelligence Service (EYP) during the period of the wiretaps and had personally signed the surveillance order for journalist Thanasis Koukakis. This has led to demands that he should have recused himself.
Notable figures, including former heads of independent authorities (Christos Rammos, Kostas Menoudakos) and law professors (Antonis Karabatzos), have expressed shock or strong disapproval. They describe the decision as a failure of the judicial system that undermines the rule of law and public trust.
PASOK: Wiretapping archiving undermines the rule of law
The Greek Supreme Court “insulted and undermined the authority of justice itself” by the chief prosecutor’s decision not to retrieve the wiretapping case from the archives of his predecessor to reexamine the case, PASOK-Movement for Change (KINAL) leader Nikos Androulakis charged during an extraordinary press conference at the party’s offices on Monday.
Attending the press conference were Androulakis’ court lawyers and the legal representative of journalist Thanassis Koukakis and another 13 individuals whose cellphone conversations were illegally tapped by the Predator software.
“This decision mauls the sense of justice in the name of backroom deals at Maximos Mansion, with a retired officer publicly blackmailing the prime minister,” the main opposition leader continued, claiming that the act was “yet another incident in the contempt for the rule of law and the separation of powers.”
Androulakis said that justice should have done the least investigation possible, by summoning Tai Dilian to testify about Predator spyware, which he has said is sold only to states and state services. “So they refused the investigation,” PASOK’s leader said, charging the government of “a corrupt ruling power and a prime minister who erodes institutions to retain his rule.”
PASOK also announced plans for a Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry and a potential vote of no confidence against the government.
Other opposition parties
SYRIZA: Denounced the decision as a “dangerous development” for democracy.
Nea Aristera: Accused the judiciary of protecting the Prime Minister’s office (Maximos Mansion).
KKE: Stated that the cover-up is a fundamental characteristic of the “bourgeois rule of law.”
Alexis Tsipras: Expressed astonishment at the speed of the judicial decision, noting that matters archived “easily” can be reopened just as easily under different circumstances.
Government response
In response, Government Spokesman Pavlos Marinakis labeled Androulakis’ attacks as “dangerous behavior for democracy and the rule of law.” He further noted that the Supreme Court chief prosecutor, whose decision was criticized had been appointed by a majority of Greece’s high-level judges and prosecutors.
“You must realize that any attack against the judiciary is problematic,” Marinakis said, addressing the main opposition leader directly. “When such an attack comes from the leader of the main opposition, it is a behavior that threatens our democracy and the rule of law.”
What’s next after the archiving of the case?
Despite the archiving of the case, legal experts clarify that while misdemeanor charges may be subject to statute of limitations, felonies cannot be expunged.
The political opposition intends to press forward, potentially summoning Intellexa owner Tal Dilian to Parliament to provide the documents he claims to possess.
Related: Wiretapping Scandal Haunts Greek Government as Intellexa Breaks Silence
