Catholic Church officials in Greece accused of using nightclubs and cafes to launder €3 million in embezzled money

Catholic Church officials in Greece are alleged to have embezzled more than €3 million (£2.5 million) to be laundered through cafes and nightclubs.

The country’s anti-money laundering agency has been investigating for months and found that two officials allegedly sent money from the church to five bank accounts, a source told Reuters.

The Athens News Agency said they were suspected of embezzlement and that the latest suspicious transfer took place a few days ago.

The accounts and assets of five club and cafe owners in the southern Peloponnese region have been frozen, according to a senior official and local media.

The details have reportedly been sent to the prosecutor, who is expected to launch his own investigation.

Holy Synod of the Catholic Church Greece He said that they had not been officially informed about the incident and that they would comment when authorities contacted them.