Identified complaints about cases of beating and ill-treatment of minors in structures “Ark of Peace” while the EL.AS investigation is in full swing. for an outstanding member of a public organization.

In a statement to EL.AS. clarifies that the prosecutor’s office of first instance entrusted the conduct of the preliminary investigation to the Sub-Department for Juvenile Affairs, which accepted the applications and has already transferred the relevant materials to the customer.

The “package” of revelations began to “open” on Wednesday, when a 19-year-old youth came to the sub-department of juvenile affairs and testified that he was a victim of abuse. The young man lived for several years in the Kivotos structure, and recently he lives with his mother in an apartment provided to him by an NGO.

Among other things, a 19-year-old girl told the police that her penis “The Ark of Peace” he showed special sympathy for him, that he asked him to accompany him on his trips outside of Attica, and that in 2021 it was this person who acted against him.

Today, another minor boy testified before the Sub-Directory for the Protection of Minors in connection with an incident of sexual abuse that allegedly took place in 2021 in the Kivotos structure in Chios. This man is not a victim, but a witness to the sexual abuse of a young boy who lived with him in this building by an NGO member.

EL.AS was informed of the incident at the time, but when the police came to take a statement from a particular witness, he refused to speak out of fear, what happened today, several months late and apparently after complaints about the Peace Ark were made public. “.

Evidence in “K”

In today’s report, “K” publishes situations that three young people complain about growing up in the “Ark of the World”, referring to their personal experiences. Among other things, three young people talk about months of punishment, isolation, exploitation and harassment.

“We were locked up for months, we weren’t fed, we were put against the wall with our legs up,” says a girl who spent six years in Kivoto in Chios. At the age of 7, when she first went to the building, she and other children had to collect pine cones in the fields. “They don’t care about age, we worked in the sun,” he tells K.

Kivotos: we know nothing about the incidents

For its part, “Kivotos tou Kosmos” in a report on the investigation of complaints of abuse of minors placed in its structures, declares ignorance and is ready to provide all the information necessary to clarify the case.

“Kivotos is not aware of any of the alleged incidents, nor of the events, nor of the persons mentioned in these publications. Therefore, at the moment he cannot take a position and expects the competent authorities to provide additional information, ”the corresponding message says, in particular.

Father Antonios: what is reported is a non-existent lie

Father Antonios, who was invited to the main ERT newscast on Friday night, called what was reported about the “Ark of Peace” a “non-existent lie.” “We are saddened and distressed by this wave of complaints. We have done research and what is being reported are unsubstantiated lies. I am outraged,” he said and asked to respect the work of the organization for 25 years.

“We don’t know anything. I’m telling you from the reports that we read, we answer them, and we fell from the clouds,” he added as to whether his thoughts are directed to people who could work in structures and be those “What I know very well is that all of a sudden about a project that we have been doing for 25 years, everyone is talking like it’s all true, without proof. Not noted. I also want respect. In in the sense that there are many children in our structures now. The “Ark of Peace” is their home. A model home. For children in therapeutic treatment. We are not only talking about food, sleep, school. We are talking about healing trauma. That, about than I have been saying for so many years. Because children come to us who are difficult, who have traumatic experience,” he said.

When asked why the children who filed complaints turned to the police and not to him, he replied: “That is also our question. I have a very good relationship with all the children. We try, these children, when they come, who have no boundaries, from very difficult families, we often quarrel to help them. Go to school, do things your age. To stand tall in things that don’t belong.”

“I gave my life. I can tell you that. I don’t know if it’s wrong. I gave everything I have and everything I don’t. We never take a vacation. We’re done with these guys. I I don’t know what else to say,” he added.

On the side of Father Antonios, the elder Stamatia Georgantis also spoke, who, for her part, hinted that the complaints were motivated by interests that wanted to harm the Ark of Peace. “We think the kids who went and filed complaints are probably motivated by something,” he said characteristically.