Businessman files 10-mln defamation suit against Kammenos

Businessman Dimitris Giannakopoulos is filing a defamation suit against Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, from whom he is demanding 10 million euros in damages.

Giannakopoulos, who is also chairman of Panathinaikos basketball club, said in a statement on Monday that he is demanding such a large sum in order to prevent politicians from using Parliament as a “platform for defamation.”

The legal action comes after Kammenos claimed in Parliament on Saturday that Giannakopoulos had sent him text messages threatening to bring down the government.

Kammenos read out the alleged messages during the debate on the new legislation for broadcasting licenses, which was passed through Parliament on Saturday night. Giannakopoulos also owns a media firm.

The defense minister also appeared to make allegations about Giannakopoulos’s personal behavior in the past.