Kanakis admits to paying protection ring in racketeers’ trial
TV presenter Antonis Kanakis admitted in court on Thursday that he used a protection ring when he co-owned a cafe-bar in Thessaloniki.
Kanakis, known for heading the “Radio Arvyla” satirical team, was called as a witness in the trial of three brothers accused of heading a protection racket.
Kanakis admitted that he was childhood friends with one of the suspects but said that he had little choice but to pay for the protection of his establishment because the police and private security firms were not up to the job.
Kanakis denied being blackmailed by the alleged gang.
A total of 24 suspects have been linked to the protection racket, which is alleged to have forced 33 business owners to use their services.
