Catholic Church officials in Greece are facing serious allegations of embezzling over €3 million (£2.5 million) to be laundered through cafes and nightclubs. An investigation by Greece's Anti-Money Laundering Authority has revealed that the church’s funds have been funneled into the country's nightlife, prompting the freezing of bank accounts and assets of five nightclub owners in the southern Peloponnese region.
According to Euronews, the investigation dates back eight years, beginning with an unusual transaction disguised as an ordinary investment to one of the five private individuals involved. The most recent suspected illegal transfer, amounting to €50,000, occurred just days ago.
What started as a random audit has now escalated, with the case referred to the chief prosecutor's office for a more in-depth criminal investigation. The prosecutor's office is expected to question seven individuals regarding alleged embezzlement and money laundering, potentially opening felony proceedings.
In response to the allegations, the Catholic Church in Greece issued a statement on Thursday, asserting that it was unaware of the actions of two priests linked to the case. "Following today's press reports on embezzlement and money laundering, we declare that we have no official information on the issue. Therefore, we are awaiting an update from the relevant authorities so that we can take an official position on the matter," the statement read.