Attention is now turning to Konstantinos Firinidis in the case involving the “Paidiki Chara” (Children’s Playground) non-governmental organisation (NGO). The organisation’s 37-year-old founder is expected to appear before an investigating magistrate in Thessaloniki tomorrow, Thursday (5 November), to answer questions over the alleged misappropriation of €2.9 million raised through charity appeals for sick children.

Developments yesterday were swift. His 35-year-old partner, Vasiliki Manisioti, was remanded in custody following her questioning, while the Authority for Combating Money Laundering ordered the freezing of assets belonging to the main defendants.

She blamed Firinidis for the misappropriation

During her questioning by the First Regular Investigating Magistrate in Thessaloniki, Vasiliki Manisioti denied the charges as presented against her, arguing that the amount which did not reach the children’s families did not exceed €900,000, rather than the €2.9 million cited in the indictment.

According to information, the 35-year-old claimed that Firinidis had spent the money on gambling, saying he had a serious addiction.

She admitted that she knew and understood what was happening, and apologised, while denying that the couple had been living a luxurious lifestyle.

She said they lived in a rented 68-square-metre flat in Toumba, paying €500 a month in rent. She also acknowledged buying a Louis Vuitton handbag and staying in hotel suites on two occasions.

According to the indictment, the 37-year-old had engaged in extensive betting activity, placing approximately €2.6 million with online bookmakers, with winnings exceeding €2 million.

The lawyer representing both Manisioti and Firinidis, Konstantinos Tsakos, said the 37-year-old intended to accept the share of responsibility attributable to him. He nevertheless stressed that there was disagreement over the actual amount of money that had not been passed on to the families.

Assets frozen and €300,000 traced to Luxembourg

As mentioned above, alongside the legal developments, the Authority for Combating Money Laundering, headed by Charalambos Vourliotis, ordered the temporary freezing of bank accounts, financial products, safe-deposit boxes and properties linked to Konstantinos Firinidis, Vasiliki Manisioti and her brother.

As part of the investigation into the movement of the funds, approximately €300,000 in Luxembourg was identified through transactions linked to PayPal accounts.

As reported by protothema.gr yesterday, the assets frozen include a flat in Kalamaria, purchased in August 2025 for €90,000 by Manisioti’s brother and his wife.

The order also covers two companies established in April 2026, in which the 35-year-old holds a 99% stake, while her brother owns the remaining 1%. They are “ELPIS HEALTH CARE MEDICAL COORDINATION E.E.” and “MVP MEDIA GROUP E.E.”.

Investigators are also seeking information from betting companies and casinos, requesting detailed records of transactions, visits and any winnings over the past five years.

Firinidis to be questioned on Thursday

Following his partner’s remand in custody, Konstantinos Firinidis is expected to appear before the investigating authorities on Thursday to explain how he managed the millions of euros raised through the NGO to support children with serious health problems.

Particular attention is expected to focus on allegations concerning his betting activities, withdrawals from the organisation’s accounts and the amount that ultimately failed to reach its intended beneficiaries.

Today (4 November), questioning continues with the 43-year-old head of the Pieria Refereeing Committee, who is alleged to be involved in the part of the case concerning illegal betting and the manipulation of football matches.

It is recalled that Manisioti’s 32-year-old brother and two refereeing officials who were questioned yesterday in connection with the case were released subject to restrictive conditions.

Firinidis’s questioning is expected to be a decisive stage in the investigation, after which a decision will be made on how to proceed with his criminal case.