Popular Greek singer Notis Sfakianakis will appear in court on Monday after he was arrested for possessing a firearm and two grams of cocaine.
The arrest occurred on Sunday night during a police operation to enforce the coronavirus curfew in the southern Athenian suburb of Hellinikon.
Officers flagged the singer’s car down on Vouliagmenis Avenue and reportedly found the illegal weapon and drugs, as well as a taser, during an inspection of the vehicle.
According to his lawyer, Sfakianakis denies that the drugs belonged to him and claims that the firearm was for self-protection.
Sfakianakis, known for his controversial image and outspoken manner and opinions, is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus.
His signature song “O Aetos” is one of the most popular songs in Greek music history. He was the best selling artist of the 1990s and stands as the best selling Greek artist of his entire generation.
Most of the criticism he has raised is a result of his highly supportive statements towards the Greek far right, Golden Dawn, which he argued is not a fascist organization.