Many questions are being raised about the finances of the Ark of the World as well as the accounts of those responsible for the charity, as new evidence is coming to light that shows that there were huge sums available.
The personal accounts of both father Antonios (the de facto head of the charity) and his spouse, known among the Orthodox with the title “presbytera”, have come under the scrutiny of authorities, while the origin of the money in the charity’s accounts is being examined with particular interest, as well as whether there were other amounts in safe deposit boxes.
As it was revealed, father Antonios had a payroll account in his name in which 120,000 euros were found. But oddities don’t stop here as it became known that the specific account had not been touched for the last 8 years.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority is reportedly starting an investigation of the priest’s wife whereabouts in order to check all financial aspects as well as the route of the money coming into the Ark from donations.
The fact that set off the alarm in the said Authority, as the law editor of MEGA channel, Anna Kandili reported, was the thousands of transactions in some of the accounts of the priest and his wife, as there were about two thousand .
The movements of the presbytera
At the same time, the presbytera, Stamatia Georgantis, hastened, a few hours before she was punished by the Board of Directors of the “Ark” to empty a safe deposit box – of the two she had – that she kept in a bank.
Three days later, on Thursday, November 24, she deposited 500,000 euros into the bank account of the “Ark”.
There are enough questions about this deposition, as Mrs. Georgantis was no longer a member of the NGO’s Board of Directors, while she did not clarify where this money was hidden.
Huge amounts
Meanwhile, the data from the investigations, which are proceeding at great speed, show deposits of 12.5 million euros in the accounts of the “Arkof the World”, while it was established that the NGO owns close to 200 real estate assets.
At the same time, in the five personal and joint accounts of father Antonios and the presbytera, which were frozen, there are deposits of over 250,000 euros, with the authorities looking to see if these amounts are justified by their activities and if they have been declared.
The Anti-Money Laundering Authority has proceeded to freeze the personal accounts in all the country’s credit institutions for both Father Antonios and the presbytera, as well as the priest’s parents, following an order given by the head of the Authority , honorary deputy prosecutor of the Supreme Court, Charalambos Vourliotis.
Latest News
Athens Int’l Airport Wins Top Prize at Routes Europe Awards
The Routes business is focused entirely on aviation route development and the company's portfolio includes events, media and online businesses
IOBE: Income Gap Between Poor and Wealthy Greeks Widens
The findings in the analysis, entitled “Progressivity in Income Taxation in Greece, 2012-2021", paint a bleak picture for Greeks in the bottom half of the income bracket, warning that income inequality is growing
Study Finds 4 in 10 Greeks to Slash Easter Spending
This year, hit by persistent inflation, many Greeks will be dishing out less on food, drink and gifts for Orthodox Easter on May 5
ELSTAT: Overnight Stays in Greece Up in Feb.
The provisional monthly data revealed that arrivals at tourist accommodations amounted to 773,104 and overnight stays were 1,677,685
Electric Energy: Greece’s New Sustainable Export
Moreover, a surplus of generated electricity cannot be fully absorbed by domestic grids and this excess power finds eager buyers in the form of companies entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), willing to pay a premium for clean energy
IOBE Revises Greek GDP Growth Downward, to 2.1% For 2024
Annual inflation is expected to reach 3%, up from the previous forecast of 2.8%
Last Sections of 136km E65 Highway Inaugurated on Tues.
Athens to Karditsa drive time is expected to drop to two and a half hours (under normal conditions), and some three hours from Athens to Trikala
Reuters: Greece to Repay More Bailout Loans Ahead of Maturity in 2023
The country has relied solely on international markets for its borrowing needs since a third institutional bailout ended in 2018
Ag Min. Avgenakis: Greece-China Cooperation in Research, Education in Agri-Food Sector
Greek minister tours cutting-edge hydroponics and robotics facilities at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing
Mini Holiday Season in Greece for Upcoming Orthodox Easter
Occupancy rates reach up to 90% domestically for accommodations open ahead of peak summer season