The police’s counterterrorism department has begun to install a multimillion-euro wiretapping system as it redoubles its efforts to trace members of resurgent domestic terror groups through their telephone or e-mail communications, Kathimerini has learned.

The department recently took delivery of the software, reportedly similar to that used by the National Intelligence Service (EYP), and has started training its staff how to use it, police sources revealed. “This is a very effective weapon for police in the fight against terrorism,” a source at the Interior Ministry told Kathimerini.

A spokesman at the police’s counterterrorism department said that the system had still not been fully installed and would probably not be fully up and running for another three or four months. Meanwhile, sources at the state Data Protection Authority (APPD) and the Hellenic Authority for Information and Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE) said that they were awaiting the outcome of the system’s installation and subsequent trials in order to approve it.

But the system reportedly has certain shortcomings, including an inability to function with all operators and Internet service providers, well-informed sources have told Kathimerini. “The software would not be activated in the event that the target was a subscriber to Forthnet or HOL,” one source said. This practical problem with the software has reportedly already been the subject of talks between Interior Ministry and ADAE officials.

Meanwhile there are reports that counterterrorism officers are also considering the possible installation of a second system that can trace mobile telephone calls.