Alpha News

“Ark of the World” Case: Father Antonios and Four Collaborators Found Guilty of Child Abuse

Published February 19, 2026, 09:28

The Athens Court of Appeal found Father Antonios and four collaborators guilty of abusing children who were housed in “Ark of the World”. Father Antonios was found guilty of more offenses than in the initial decision, specifically for 9 out of the 19 acts attributed to him, while he had been convicted of 5 in the first instance. The charges relate to grievous bodily harm to minors, moral instigation to dangerous and simple bodily harm, as well as threats. Four collaborators were also found guilty, including former members of the board of directors and managers of the “Ark of the World” structures, for similar charges. However, two defendants were fully acquitted. All defendants were absent from the courtroom when the verdict was announced. The prosecutor had requested the conviction of Father Antonios and his four collaborators for specific charges. In the first instance, Father Antonios had been sentenced to 51 months in prison, while his collaborators received sentences ranging from 17 to 40 months. Some convicted individuals were granted a suspension of sentence, while Father Antonios’ sentence was converted to a monetary fine.