Prosecutors bar charity founder, three officials from entering NGO grounds
Two prosecutors investigating numerous claims of alleged abuse of minors at one of Greece’s best-known children’s charities have barred its founder, a priest, and three other officials from entering any of its premises.
The purpose of the order is to keep the Ark of the World’s founder, Father Antonios Papanikolaou, and three unnamed officials who are being investigated away from minors housed at the charity’s several branches, so they cannot influence their testimonies. The order is valid for 90 days and after this period it will have to be validated by a court decision.
The ongoing probe began when a 19-year-old told police he was sexually molested by a senior charity official. Other witnesses and former employees have since alleged financial mismanagement.
Father Antonios, who has worked with children from underprivileged families since 1998, has repeatedly rejected the allegations.
