Father Antonios and co-defendants acquitted in Kivotos tou Kosmou trial

On October 20, 2026, the Three-Member Misdemeanour Court of Ioannina unanimously acquitted Father Antonios Papanikolaou and two other former officials of the charity organization 'Kivotos tou Kosmou'. The court proceedings, which lasted for ten sessions, addressed serious allegations of bodily harm, illegal detention, use of force, and threats against children who resided at the organization’s facilities in Pogonianí and Konitsa.

The defendants included Father Antonios, the former director of the Ioannina facility, Andriani Theodorakopoulou, and pedagogue Paschalis Skordas. The court rejected all charges, stating that the accusations were never proven during the evidentiary process, which aligned with the prosecutor's recommendation. These charges had previously cast a shadow over the operations of the non-profit organization.

Following the verdict, Father Antonios expressed deep relief and satisfaction, describing the ruling as a vindication of his work and the efforts of volunteers who supported the facilities. He characterized the organization's legacy as 'stainless' and emphasized that the judicial system had cleared his name. The legal victory marks the conclusion of this specific trial, effectively dismissing the allegations that had sparked intense public and legal scrutiny regarding the management of the children's care centers.