Giorgos Tsagkarakis: Prosecution for Forgery and Antiquities Trafficking

New photos have been released of the forged paintings and relics seized from the Tsagkarakis Gallery. Giorgos Tsagkarakis faces prosecution for four felonies.

According to police, seized items include forged paintings, five ancient amphorae, four Byzantine icons, and a Gospel dating back to 1745.

During the operation, €190,000 and over 300 paintings were also confiscated. Experts estimate that, apart from seven, the remaining paintings are forgeries. The 18th-century Gospel appears to be genuine and rare. Tsagkarakis allegedly tried to hide the Gospel through an employee.

Giorgos Tsagkarakis faces charges of embezzlement of ancient and modern monuments of particularly great value, violation of the obligation to declare a monument, and a distinct case of manufacturing, exhibiting, trafficking, and possessing works of art for the purpose of deception.