Filenews 20 July 2023 - by Fanis Makrides
No commitment for the Republic of Cyprus appears to be emerging at the moment in relation to the four companies, which were included yesterday in the US Department of Commerce's "blacklist" for "Malicious Cyber Activities".
As it became known last Tuesday afternoon, the Bureau of Industry and Security of the competent US Department placed on a trade embargo list the companies Intellexa S.A. (Greece), Cytrox Holdings Zrt. (Hungary), Intellexa Limited (Ireland) and Cytrox AD (Skopje).
The companies are not registered in Cyprus. However, they are all thought to be related to the Intellexa Group, founded by Tal Dillian and co-founded by Abraham Sahak Avni (by their own admission). The two businessmen have activities in Cyprus and have been employed by the prosecuting authorities of Cyprus for the last six years, either separately or both. Their names were in the spotlight in cases such as that of the surveillance van and the Predator spyware.
This "spyware" had caused political tremors in Greece, while it was also the subject of an inquiry committee of the European Parliament (PEGA). In addition, all companies were the subject of publications by "F" in the context of the investigation into the use and distribution of surveillance software. Some are directly connected to employees or associates of Dillian and Avni.
However, as our newspaper is aware, for the time being there is no question of taking any measures on the part of the Cypriot State, especially related government agencies.
"F" reports that the Department of the Registrar of Companies has no official information about the examination of this case. A well-informed source told us that the Department could only deal with it if it is proven that a company registered in Cyprus has a shareholding relationship with one of the aforementioned four legal entities.
"Since a business entity does not have a incorporation number with the Registrar of Companies, then there is no obligation for the Department of the Registrar of Companies to deal with," the person added.
The Cyprus Trade Service (Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry) did not take any relevant action either. Information tells us that no relevant directive was given to investigate the data that emerged with yesterday's US decision.
In addition, F's information indicates that the government has not examined the matter and therefore has not taken any action.
However, references in US communiqués to why Intellexa S.A., Cytrox Holdings Zrt., Intellexa Limited and Cytrox AD were blacklisted do not go unnoticed. The State Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce say the sanctions are about safeguarding U.S. national security.
Among other things, it is noted that legal entities were punished "for trafficking cyber programs used to access information systems, thereby threatening the privacy and security of individuals and organizations worldwide."
