According to the Press Release issued by the Hellenic Police on 17 June 2026, a criminal organization that had been systematically and professionally engaged in the illegal provision of subscription television services via the internet (IPTV) was dismantled.
The operation was carried out by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, with the support of specialized units of the Hellenic Police and the Audiovisual Works Protection Company (EPOE). During the investigation, seven members of the organization were arrested, and an extensive illegal infrastructure for the retransmission of protected audiovisual content was uncovered, serving a large number of users both in Greece and abroad.
According to the findings of the case, the criminal organization provided unauthorized access to subscription television channels, sporting events, films, and other protected content, causing substantial financial losses to legitimate service providers. The database that was seized contained more than 86,000 users, while the illegal profits generated by the organization are estimated at no less than €7 million.
The case constitutes one of the most significant operations against online audiovisual content piracy ever conducted in Greece and highlights the importance of cooperation between the competent authorities and rights protection organizations in effectively combating intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
This case further confirms the importance of effective collaboration among law enforcement authorities, rights holders, and competent protection bodies, including the Committee for Notification of Copyright and Related Rights Infringement on the Internet (EDPPI), the competent administrative authority responsible for addressing online copyright and related rights infringements in Greece. The Committee contributes substantially to strengthening the protection of audiovisual content and combating digital piracy.
The Hellenic Copyright Organization (HCO) welcomes the successful outcome of the operation and emphasizes that the fight against digital piracy remains a priority, with the aim of ensuring effective protection of rights holders and safeguarding the lawful distribution of audiovisual content in the digital environment.
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