The United States imposes sanctions on a former Israeli intelligence officer

On Tuesday, the United States imposed sanctions on a former officer in Israeli Military Intelligence (AMAN), for his role in developing and disseminating spyware that targeted US officials and journalists.

The US Treasury Department said in a statement, “Today (Tuesday), the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury (OFAC) listed two individuals and five entities associated with Intellexa, a company based in Greece”.

The statement explained that the sanctions included Tal Dilian, the president and founder of the company.

Israeli media, including Yedioth Ahronoth and The Times of Israel, reported that Dilian is a former officer in Israeli Military Intelligence (AMAN).

The sanctions also affected Sarah Hamou, Dilian’s wife and partner in Intellexa, for providing administrative services to the company.

According to the statement, sanctions were imposed on other entities linked to Intellexa, including Cytrox AD, based in North Macedonia, Cytrox Holdings ZRT, based in Hungary, and Thalestris Ltd.” based in Ireland, for their role in developing and distributing a spyware known as “Predator”.

The statement indicated that those subject to the sanctions developed, operated, and distributed commercial spyware technology that was used to target Americans, including government officials and journalists.

The US Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson said in the statement, “Today’s actions represent a tangible step forward in confronting the misuse of spyware, which poses an increasing security risk to the United States and our citizens”.

The US Treasury Department stated that Intellexa sold and distributed spyware and commercial surveillance tools to authoritarian entities and regimes around the world.

The Predator spyware allows user to infiltrate electronic devices through what is called, “Zero-Click attacks” that don’t require any interaction from the user so that the spyware can infect the device.

The spyware, which was used in dozens of countries, allowed unauthorized data extraction, geographic location tracking, and access to personal information on hacked devices, according to the US Treasury Department statement.

Dilian was linked to the NSO Group, the creator of the “Pegasus” spyware, which was used to spy on journalists and human rights activists in many countries.

According to Forbes, Dilian acquired Cytrox in 2019 to make Intellexa a one-stop shop for hacking and electronic surveillance services and products.

The US sanctions stipulate that all property in the possession of Dilian, his wife, and the five entities located in the United States or in the possession or control of American persons is prohibited.

It also prohibits people in the United States from conducting transactions with them, and financial institutions and other entities that have business relationships with those on the same list may also be subject to sanctions.