Greece orders financial probe of refugee NGO

Greek judicial authorities have ordered an investigation into allegations that staff at a European Union-funded NGO sexually exploited refugees and misused money intended for their welfare.

Immigration Minister Ioannis Mouzalas on Monday handed Supreme Court prosecutor Xeni Dimitriou a letter from the EU's top humanitarian aid official outlining the allegations.

The NGO allegedly involved was not publicly named, and no details on the claims were provided.

Dimitriou ordered a preliminary investigation by a financial crimes prosecutor.

The allegations were first made public this month by the EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, Christos Stylianides.

Stylianides' office said in a May 16 statement that the commission is taking the allegations "very seriously" and will suspend funding to the NGO pending the investigation. [AP]