Father Antonios and former Kivotos tou Kosmou staff acquitted by Ioannina court

On Monday, October 19, 2026, the Three-Member Misdemeanour Court of Ioannina unanimously acquitted Father Antonios, the founder of the charity organization "Kivotos tou Kosmou," along with two former staff members, Andriani Theodorakopoulou and Paschalis Skordas. The verdict concludes a lengthy legal process consisting of ten sessions, during which the court examined allegations of physical abuse, unlawful detention, illegal violence, and threats against minors hosted at the organization's facilities in Pogonianí and Kónitsa.

The court's decision was consistent with the recommendation of the public prosecutor, as the proceedings determined that the alleged criminal acts were not proven. Following the acquittal, Father Antonios expressed relief and emphasized the significance of the ruling for the organization’s volunteers and staff. He asserted that the verdict validates the "stainless work" of the charity, focusing on the restoration of its public image after years of scrutiny.

This legal development follows intensive investigations into the operation of the charity’s structures. While the defense maintained throughout the trial that none of the charges were substantiated by evidence, the case remains a significant chapter in the broader public discourse regarding the management and oversight of child care institutions in Greece.