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Antiquities smuggling uncovered in Peloponnese/ Plan to sell Byzantine icons for 200 thousand euros

2025-09-09 11:00:00, Kronika CNA

Antiquities smuggling uncovered in Peloponnese/ Plan to sell Byzantine icons for

An undercover Greek police operation has uncovered an antiquities smuggling ring that was trying to sell a treasure trove of Byzantine icons and two 18th-century Gospels for €200,000 ($215,000).

Authorities announced the arrest of six suspects, including the abbot of the historic Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin, also known as the Monastery of Mega Spilaio in Kalavryta, northern Peloponnese.

Among those detained is a man from Nemea believed to be the mastermind of the operation, as well as a pawnshop owner accused of acting as a middleman by approaching potential buyers and other smugglers.

Investigators say the scheme came to light three months ago, when police received information about illegal transactions.

To infiltrate the network, a police officer went undercover, posing as someone interested in selling antiques, as well as buying icons and Gospels.

Greek media outlet Kathimerini reports that the infiltration plan was followed by several meetings, some in restaurants, others on provincial roads and even inside the monastery itself.

Both men were arrested immediately, while four other suspects were detained in the following hours.

The six arrested are expected to testify before an investigating magistrate. Meanwhile, the Metropolitanate of Kalavrita has announced that the arrested abbot has been dismissed from his position. /CNA





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