Six face charges in Greek Paidiki Hara charity-fraud case
The organisation allegedly diverted donations for seriously ill children and laundered proceeds. Charges also concern suspected bribery over football matches; the founder denies the accusations.
Six arrested people face prosecution in Thessaloniki in the case involving Paidiki Hara. Thesspost reported on 2 November that charges include fraud, embezzlement, money laundering and bribery to manipulate matches, depending on each person’s role. The six were given time to testify before an investigating judge and remained in custody pending those appearances.
According to the case file described by Thesspost, 92 fundraisers were organised for 74 people. Checks involving 34 families found that approximately €3.94 million was collected and about €1.11 million transferred to beneficiaries. Investigators estimate the alleged unlawful benefit at more than €2.82 million. A 37-year-old founder, his 35-year-old partner and her brother are among the accused.
Naftemporiki reports that the founder denies the accusations. The lawyer for an implicated referee also denies his client’s involvement. Investigators are examining whether money moved through companies and betting accounts and whether some funded football-match manipulation. Thesspost says 29 bank accounts and more than 246,000 transactions were examined.
