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The events related to the breakup of the criminal group of thieves who have emptied the monasteries and chapels in Epirus of icons and other sacred relics in recent years are developing at a rapid pace.

A well-known businessman from Trikala, aged 43, with initials D.D., engaged in the tourism sector, is suspected and has been called to testify before the investigator of Ioannina. Richard Temple, the owner of the eponymous London gallery, defines the businessman as the supplier of the icons that were found in the gallery in 2011 and that were proved to have been stolen.

An important point in the development of the case is the fact that the five court files compiled in connection with various stolen icons have been sent to the investigator of Ioannina city and, according to sources, the authorities have received the voluminous report (over 150 pages) by Scotland Yard on the topic as well.

In his evidence that is in the report, Richard Temple describes D.D. as the supplier of the icons and he has submitted his handwritten notes and bank account numbers. Temple also argues that the 43-year-old Greek businessman told him that the icons were his property, they were family relics, and that he was a collector too. At the same time, operators in the region argue that "people beyond suspicion are hiding behind him."

The Candlemas icon stolen in 2009 and found in the Temple Gallery.

Richard Temple also states that he has decided to return a total of 17 icons so as not to hurt the prestige of the famous gallery, simultaneously ceasing the cooperation with the Greek businessman.

Sources from Epirus and Trikala indicate that, over the past few days, the 43-year-old entrepreneur has been very nervous, considering asking for a period in which he himself and his lawyers can examine the case file and prepare his defence.

It should be noted that 10 of the icons found in the Temple Gallery belong to The Assumption church in Koukouli village in Ioannina region. The church was plundered during the Christmas holidays in 2009 and the insolent thieves ran away with 40 icons.

The Assumption church in Koukouli village in Ioannina region after the robbery, 2009.

Another icon in the gallery was stolen from Agios Trifonas church in Vikos village, Ioannina region.

10 more icons stolen from monasteries in Epirus were found in the Dullaert Gallery in Amsterdam and seized in December 2011, shortly before being sold through an e-auction.

Delay

"The Greek state had not paid attention to this very serious problem until recently and hundreds of church treasures have been sold abroad after robberies in monasteries", said for "Ethnos" newspaper Epirus governor Alekos Kahrimanis who has devoted himself to the long struggle to detect the criminal group of thieves of relics. As governor of Ioannina region, he had ordered in 2009 the description of ​​all ecclesiastical treasures stolen from Epirus, mainly from the areas of Zagori, and their uploading on the website of the region.

At the same time, the Greek police too continue in complete secrecy the investigation of this widely discussed case.

Indicative of the serious attitude towards the issue is the fact that the reports on the progress are made directly to the police administration first and then subsequently to the judicial authorities in Ioannina that continue to add new data to the voluminous documentation of the case.