Priests of the Catholic Church in Greece are being investigated for embezzlement

According to SKAI, the Greek Anti-Money Laundering Authority (HAMLA) has frozen the bank accounts and assets of two senior figures in Greece’s Catholic Church after a random audit revealed the disappearance of €3 million from church coffers that had allegedly been invested in nightclubs.

The audit found that suspicious financial movements began seven to eight years ago when large sums of money were transferred from accounts managed by two priests to nightclub owners, disguised as business investments.

SKAI reports that enough evidence has been collected to charge the two priests with serious crimes, including embezzlement and money laundering.

HAMLA confirmed the embezzlement of 3 million euros, which led to the identification of the priests and nightclub owners involved. The last transfer of 50,000 euros was made just a few days ago.

HAMLA boss Charalambos Vourliotis has ordered the freezing of the bank accounts and assets of five businessmen suspected of receiving the funds. The agency’s report was submitted to a prosecutor’s office to investigate allegations of embezzlement and money laundering against the priests and private individuals involved.