Leading loyalist Andre Shoukri has pleaded not guilty to charges of blackmail, intimidation and money laundering, Belfast Magistrates Court was told today.
The 28-year-old, whose address was given as Clare Heights, gave a thumbs up to around a dozen supporters in the magistrates court as he appeared alongside William Boreland in the dock.
Mr Shoukri faced one charge of blackmail, one charge of intimidation and one charge of money laundering.
Mr Boreland (38) faced one charge of blackmail, two charges of using a firearm or imitation firearm to cause fear and to cause an arrestable offence, one charge of intimidation and one charge of money laundering.
A detective sergeant told magistrate Bernadette Kelly that Mr Shoukri replied not guilty when the charges were put to him yesterday. He also said Mr Boreland made no reply. The detective sergeant said he believed he could connect both men to the charges.
Both suspects were remanded in custody to appear by video link on December 9th.
PA