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Εθνική Υπηρεσία Πληροφοριών | |
National Intelligence Service headquarters in Athens | |
Agency overview | |
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Formed | 9 May 1953 as the Central Intelligence Service |
Jurisdiction | Government of Greece |
Headquarters | Athens, Greece |
Motto | Λόγων ἀπορρήτων ἐκφορὰν μὴ ποιοῦ (Periander) Do not express confidential utterance |
Employees | c. 1300 Employees |
Minister responsible | |
Agency executive |
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Website | www.nis.gr |
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) (Greek: Εθνική Υπηρεσία Πληροφοριών, romanized: Ethnikí Ypiresía Pliroforión, abbreviated ΕΥΠ, EYP) is the national intelligence agency of Greece. Originally modeled after the United States Central Intelligence Agency, it was established in 1953 as the Central Intelligence Service (Greek: Κεντρικὴ Ὑπηρεσία Πληροφοριῶν, romanized: Kentrikí Ypiresía Pliroforión, abbrev. ΚΥΠ, KYP), specializing in intelligence gathering, counterintelligence activities and securing sensitive state communications.[1]
As Greece's primary intelligence agency, EYP is responsible for a range of domestic and foreign matters, ranging from criminal activities and civil rights violations, to terrorism and espionage. Although its agents can be armed for their protection, the agency does not have prosecutorial and detention powers. During wartime, it can fulfill the role of military intelligence, alongside the separate Military Intelligence Directorate (ΔΔΣΠ).
Headquartered in Athens, EYP is an autonomous civilian agency that answers directly to the Prime Minister of Greece. The majority of its 1,800 personnel are civil servants, although the agency also employs scientific and technical contractors, officers of each branch of the Hellenic Armed Forces, and members of the Hellenic Police and Hellenic Fire Service.[2]