Publisher, journalists deny blackmailing state officials
A newspaper publisher and two journalists accused of blackmailing officials in the public sector and executives at private companies gave their depositions on Friday, which came several days after they were arrested because of delays caused by an ongoing lawyers’ strike.
All three denied that they extorted money from their victims, often in the form of advertising revenue for the newspaper, by threatening to write negative articles about the organizations or companies involved.
However, conversations that were secretly recorded by police indicate that the suspects not only attempted to extort money but sometimes threatened the lives of their victims or their relatives. The three also claimed to have close links to politicians and businessmen.
Furthermore, the press officer at the Athens Water and Sewage Company (EYDAP), Amalia Katzou, has testified against the three men, claiming that they attempted to extort money from the public utility.
