Archimandrite Melchisedek Ambelikakis, parish priest of Sternes by Chania, has publicly denied links with the Mafia on the island of Crete.
Responded to media reports linking him to a high-profile criminal investigation involving the so-called Crete mafia, Melchisedek stressed that he was not involved in any illegal activity.
“In recent days, fragmentary and out-of-context conversations involving third parties have circulated, attempting to implicate me,” Melchisedek said in a statement.
He emphasized that his interactions with individuals now under police investigation were purely pastoral and part of routine contact with parishioners.
“I never requested mediation, nor did I offer relics or favors in exchange for my election,” he said, referring to his bid to become bishop of Hania and Apokoronas, a position scheduled to be filled in October.
Authorities have reportedly investigated a network of local figures, including business people, officials and clergy, accused of bribery, extortion and illegal land sales. Court documents suggest that a hotel owner allegedly tried to influence Melchisedek’s ecclesiastical election and requested religious relics as favors, media reported.
The priest said all such exchanges were legitimate and in line with Church practice.
Melchisedek also criticized what he called “dark circles” opposed to the Ecumenical Patriarch, accusing them of exploiting the controversy to sow division within the Church. “I urge the faithful not to be scandalized and to pray for the truth to prevail,” he said.
Authorities continue investigation in the case of the Crete Mafia with 17 of 49 in total members of the gang arrested to have testified to prosecutors.
The case file reveals a labyrinthine network of illegality, with evidence resulting from months of investigations, wiretaps and recordings of financial transactions that show the size and scope of the organization’s activities in Chania.
The investigation process for the criminal organization of Chania is expected to proceed in three separate cases, where a three-digit number of defendants are allegedly involved, including a high-ranking cleric (former Abbot of a monastery), police officers, members of the Armed Forces, local businessmen and a lawyer.
Spokeswoman of the Greek Police, Katerina Dimoglidou, said on Wednesday that new arrests are expected by the end of the week. the second case file includes also the case of blackmailing of a clergyman by the leaders of the criminal gang.
