Businessman files defamation suit against Kammenos
Businessman Dimitris Giannakopoulos on Monday filed a defamation suit against Defense Minister and Independent Greeks (ANEL) chief Panos Kammenos, from whom he is demanding 10 million euros in damages.
Giannakopoulos, who is vice president of the Vianex pharmaceutical company and owner of Panathinaikos basketball club, said in a statement that he is seeking such a large sum in a bid 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.
Late last night, a group of around 15 people believed to be members of the anarchist group Rubicon stormed into the building on Syggrou Avenue housing ANEL’s offices and hung banners from the roof protesting against the government’s talks with creditors. Police briefly detained the suspects.
