Authorities are investigating two high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church in Greece for allegedly embezzling €3 million from the church to invest in Greek nightclubs.
Greece’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority has already frozen the bank accounts and assets of five nightclub owners in the southern region of Peloponnese.
The case allegedly goes back to eight years ago when the first suspicious transaction to one of the five private individuals took place. The most recent suspected illegal transfer of €50,000 occurred just a few days ago.
The Catholic Church of Greece said in a statement on Thursday that it was unaware of the two priests’ actions.
“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,” it said.
The case has been sent to the chief prosecutor’s office for further criminal investigation.
Source: euronews.
