Father Antonios Papanikolaou, founder of a Greek charitable nonprofit organization, was accused by two minors of sexual misconduct. A letter has surfaced, allegedly written by one of the minors, saying the claims of misconduct were fake. The mother of the 16 year-old boy has said that this letter is a forgery, as well as her own signature on it.
The Greek NGO “Ark of the World” (Kivotos Tou Kosmou) has been the focus of several serious accusations over the last year. Yesterday, the organization was accused by the mother of a 16 year-old boy of forging a letter in which the minor rescinded accusations of sexual indecency, saying they were false. The mother alleges that the letter is “fake” as well as the boy’s signature and her own which are in the letter.
Ark of the World has been a respected organization for its charity work in Greece. The Ark of the World was recognized twice in 2003 and 2005 as one of the best organizations dedicated to child care in Greece by the President.
The allegations of sexual indecency came against Father Antonios Papanikolaou, the founder of the organization. The non-profit organization was founded in 1998, “caring for mothers and their children, most of which are homeless, abandoned, without food, shelter or medical care.”
The claims against the NGO first surfaced in November 2022, forwarded to the Athens Prosecutor’s Office. The trial has been set for December 2023 for the Athens Court of Misdemeanors, as two boys of ages 16 and 19 accuse the founder of sexual indecency.
Two days ago, it was reported that the boy of 16 years retracted his statements against the founder. A letter written by the boy was presented by a Greek news outlet, in which he admits that his accusations were fake and that he was convinced to accuse the founder of damaging his reputation. The letter had the boy’s and the mother’s signature. The family’s lawyer spoke on behalf of the family, saying that neither the boy nor his mother had written any letter. The boy’s mother has repeated this claim.
Others within the organization have been charged with crimes. Claims against them include bodily harm, imprisonment and forced labor. Financial claims have also been made against the organization at the same time, including allegations of money laundering.
Source: Newsendip