Greece’s anti-money laundering authority (HAMLA) has frozen the bank accounts and assets of two senior figures in the Catholic Church of Greece following a random audit that uncovered the disappearance of 3 million euros from church coffers, allegedly invested in nightclubs, according to SKAI.
The audit revealed that suspicious financial movements began 7-8 years ago, with large sums transferred from accounts managed by two priests to nightclub owners, disguised as business investments.
SKAI reports that sufficient evidence has been collected to charge the two priests with serious criminal offenses, including embezzlement and money laundering.
HAMLA confirmed the 3 million euros embezzlement, which led to identifying the priests and the nightclub owners involved. The most recent transfer of 50,000 euros took place just days ago.
HAMLA’s head, Charalambos Vourliotis, has ordered the freezing of bank accounts and assets of five businessmen suspected of receiving the funds. The authority’s report has been submitted to a prosecutor to investigate charges of embezzlement and money laundering against the priests and private individuals involved.
