Greek Police Detain Athens Dealer Giorgos Tsagarakis After Social Media Video Raises Antiquities Concerns
A social-media post has become a key piece of evidence in a widening Greek investigation into alleged antiquities trafficking. Greek authorities last week detained Athens-based art dealer Giorgos Tsagarakis, 51, along with one of his employees, as part of an operation focused on suspected forgery, theft, and the illegal trade of cultural objects.
The arrests were carried out by Greece’s Organized Crime Division, which officials said was targeting a coordinated network dealing in counterfeit and unlawfully obtained artworks. Tsagarakis is a familiar figure to many Greek viewers: he has appeared on television as an art expert and appraiser on the program Cash or Trash, and he runs Galerie Tsagarakis in Athens.
According to reports in Greek media, investigators moved to arrest Tsagarakis after reviewing a video he posted online that appeared to show objects believed to be stolen. Among the items cited was what Greek news site Le Femerida described as a “gold-plated 1745 Gospel from Venice.” Authorities reportedly used the footage to help secure the warrants that enabled subsequent raids.
The case has also been shaped by public allegations that predate the arrests. Collectors had raised concerns that numerous works featured in Tsagarakis’s televised auctions did not belong to him. Separately, Greek public figure Lola Daifa, known for her work in television and sports, said jewelry she had previously reported stolen appeared on one of the shows.
Prosecutors are now weighing a slate of serious charges. The suspects face allegations including fraud, forgery, money laundering, and violations tied to the protection of Greek cultural heritage. The employee is accused of handling stolen antiquities, while Tsagarakis is facing multiple felony counts.
Tsagarakis has rejected the accusations. In a statement issued through his gallery, he said the artworks under scrutiny were part of a private collection held by his family for years and were not intended for commercial sale. The gallery also said it had already approached authorities regarding the Gospel manuscript in order to verify its authenticity, adding that it does not specialize in religious artifacts.
Investigators, meanwhile, are examining whether any of the seized religious objects may be connected to recent thefts reported in monasteries or private collections in Greece and Cyprus.
Tsagarakis has reportedly been released after posting €50,000 bail, and he continues to deny the charges as the investigation proceeds.
