PEGA President: There is no evidence of the use of illegal software by the Greek authorities – We leave with questions, says a Dutch MEP

In finding that no evidence was found for the use of illegal spyware by the Greek authorities, but the reported cases remain to be thoroughly investigated, concluded the European Parliament’s investigative committee on Pegasus software and other illegal software in the interview it gave today at the conclusion of its work in Athens.

The committee welcomed the initiative of the Greek government to adopt new legislation on the conditions of telephone monitoring and with stronger judicial supervision and noted the active cooperation with the Greek authorities, in contrast to the authorities of other states, such as Poland or Hungary, with which, as emphasized, there is no comparison neither in terms of the rule of law nor in terms of freedom of the press.

“No evidence of corruption, or authoritarian practices like in Poland and Hungary was found but more efforts are needed to ensure transparency. Also, every complaint of surveillance abuse must be thoroughly investigated and the necessary counterweights must be created.” said the president of PEGA, among others Jeroen Lehners(EPP Netherlands).

“I am satisfied, he added, because unlike other countries, the governments of Cyprus and Greece actively cooperated with PEGA and answered our questions. They informed us about the reform proposals they intend to make in order to strengthen the fundamental rights of citizens in Cyprus, Greece and the EU. In Greece there will be a public consultation in the coming months. We look forward to seeing concrete legislation and policies put in place.”

According to him, in the meeting with the Minister of State, Giorgos Gerapetritis, they discussed “the most well-known surveillance cases” and the broader issues of media pluralism and the rule of law in Greece. The EP committee also met with journalist Thanasis Koukakis and other people targeted by the illegal software, with ADAE president Christos Ramos and representatives of human rights organizations and NGOs, Mr Lenners said.

The committee also spoke with members of the Greek parliament from both the government and the opposition who participated in the Commission of Inquiry into the case of the surveillance of PASOK president Nikos Androulakis’ mobile phone.

Weld

“We are leaving Cyprus and Greece perhaps with more questions than when we came,” said the rapporteur Sophie Id Veldt (RENEW Netherlands).

Ms Id Veldt added that “we have heard the concerns of journalists who feel unsafe when writing about important issues, of the Independent Data Protection Authority being pressured and the excuse of ‘national security’ being used as a pretext for the misuse of spyware.” It seems that the companies of this software constitute a dark network of connections that can be extended to public authorities.

In the EU we need clear rules to limit the use of the term national security as a pretext for surveillance and ensure judicial oversight as well as guarantee a healthy, pluralistic media environment.”

The Dutch rapporteur said that answers must be given and to clear the landscape before the elections, so that no doubt remains, while to a question from APE about the government’s relevant legislation, she answered that it is a really good idea.

Voseberg

MEP Eliza Vosenberg, a member of PEGA, called her statements “personal assessments of Mrs. Id Veldt”, adding that they are far from the evidence that could support the committee’s work.

Referring to the press, she said that “we cannot talk about problems of freedom of the press when we have terrorists who write articles and their opinions are listed in the daily press and “yellow papers” who insult the prime minister, the government and other public figures every day.”

Kouloglu

The MEP of SYRIZA, Stelios Kouloglou, who also participated in PEGA, emphasized that “we should not turn an EP committee into a field of party confrontation. I won’t do it. I convey to you the impression of the majority of the members of the committee, that they did not get substantial answers to the questions they raised, neither in Greece, nor in Cyprus”.

Next week the PEGA rapporteur will submit the first draft of the report, then the committee will visit other countries and there will be a conclusion of the committee that will be put to a vote in the plenary, in the coming months.

The committee consists of:

• Jeroen LENAERS (President of PEGA and Head of Delegation / EPP, Netherlands)
• Sophia IN ‘T VELD (speaker for the PEGA / Renew exhibition, Netherlands)
• Sylvie GUILLAUME (Socialists, France)
• Juan Ignacio ZOIDO ÁLVAREZ (EPP, Spain)
• Elizabeth Vozemberg-Vryonidis (EPP, Greece)
• Thijs REUTEN (Socialists, Netherlands)
• Róża THUN UND HOHENSTEIN (Renew, Poland)
• Saskia BRICMONT (Greens, Belgium)
• Stelios Kouloglu (Left, Greece)
• Laura FERRARA (non-registered MEPs, Italy)
• Lídia PEREIRA (EPP, Portugal)

RES-EMP

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