High-ranking Catholic Church of Greece officials probed for embezzlement

A criminal investigation into suspected embezzlement and money laundering has been launched against two high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church in Greece and five nightclub owners in the Peloponnese, in the wake of a recent report by the Anti-Money Laundering Authority.

The investigation was triggered after a routine audit discovered a shortfall of nearly 3 million euros in the Catholic Church's coffers, which were allegedly funneled as investments into nightclubs. Charalambos Vourliotis, the head of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority, has already ordered the freezing of bank accounts and assets of the five nightclub owners, after submitting the findings to the relevant prosecutorial authority.

According to sources, the case dates back eight years, when it was discovered that significant amounts of money were being transferred from church accounts managed by...