Investigation of Greek children’s charity deepens amid claims of financial mismanagement, abuse, neglect

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) - Greek authorities deepened an investigation into one of the country’s major children's charities amid allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual abuse, and neglect, local media reported on Monday.

The personal financial accounts of Father Antonios Papanikolaou, founder of the Ark of the World charity, as well as his parents and sister were frozen in line with a decision by the country’s anti-money laundering authority, said public broadcaster ERT.

The decision came after weeks of searching the charity's accounts and its premises across the country, it added, noting that corporate accounts remained untouched for the time being.

Avgi daily reported that the charity collected over € 27.5 million ($ 28.78 million) in donations and controlled around 280 premises across the country, from which Papanikolaou and some other senior executives allegedly embezzled money.

The charity also reportedly hosted and cared for fewer children than it claimed in its records.

The investigation will likely lead to the freezing of over a dozen more bank accounts, it said.

In mid-November, claims of sexual abuse, beating, and negligence linked to the charity made headlines.

Among the allegations being investigated are at least two cases of sexual abuse, beating, and neglect by employees and executives of the charity.