The abbot of the historic monastery of Mega Spilaio in Kalavrita, northern Peloponnese, and a monk -his assistant – as well as four more suspects – private persons – were arrested on Sunday, when they attempted to sell rare religious artifacts of great value.
According to a police announcement, the items protected by the Law on Antiquities they tried to sell were 17 Byzantine icons and rare religious texts, including two Gospels dated 1737 and 1761.
They were about to sell them to an undercover police officer for €200,000.
The police operation was launched reportedly after anonymous denouncements to authorities.
According to information from police sources, the abbot and his assistant were arrested following an operation by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (DAOE), during which a female police officer appeared as allegedly interested in purchasing the icons. During the operation, the police officer, after negotiations, agreed with the abbot to purchase part of the relics for 200 thousand euros.
In addition to the abbot of the monastery and his assistant, police arrested also a pawnbroker and his wife as accomplices, as well as two other people who acted as intermediaries.
The abbot and the monk have been suspended from duty until the case is cleared, local media reported.
According to ethnos.gr, police estimates that more religious relics of high value have disappeared from the monastery. Investigation continues.
