A Greece-based NGO active in providing – as it states – support to asylum seekers and would-be migrants now faces investigation for money laundering and financial mismanagement.
The NGO HumanRights 360 shot the national limelight last August when it appeared to validate claims alleging, among others, that a little Syrian girl died on a shallow river islet after being stranded there with a group of compatriots trying to illegally enter Greece from Turkey.
To date, the very serious claim, along with other circumstances surrounding the case, remains unsubstantiated, with Greek government officials angrily pointing to yet another disinformation campaign by migrant smuggling rings and some NGOs, as well as the regurgitation of “fake news” by certain media outlets, including foreign ones
The case file has been forwarded to a relevant first instance prosecutor by the independent authority to combat money laundering. The latter has already frozen bank accounts belonging to the leadership of the NGO.
Prosecutors are expected to focus on whether felonies, such as breach of trust and establishing a criminal enterprise, have occurred. Corroborated evidence would then result in an indictment and trial.
The initial investigation by the independent authority alleges so-called “triangle” or “triangular” transactions, with the end result being grants and donations ending up in the bank accounts of the NGO’s cadres.
In a reply on Tuesday, the NGO notes, among others, that “…we are accountable for all our programs and seek transparency by any means. We have established strict audit mechanisms, such as the annual outsourcing of the audit of our finances in the area of programs and their management. Reports accompanying the development of our projects are published each year and our Annual Action Report as well as audited financial statements and those of independent chartered accountants are sent to our entire donor base, governmental and non-governmental. All this is available at our official website as well as to any other interested party.”
The entire statement is here:
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