A night guard at the Antiquities Ephorate of Serres, northern Greece, has been suspended from duty by the Ministry of Culture since he was named as being involved in a case of antiquities looting, the ministry said on Wednesday.

A statement by the ministry said the following:

"The Ministry of Culture announces the following in response to relevant questions by the press:
"By decision of Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, following a document sent by the Hellenic Police, Vassilios Chatziagorakis, staff member of the Guards/Information department, specialty of night guards, who serves at the Ephorate of Antiquities of Serres, is immediately suspended from duties according to the regulations of the Civil Employees Code, and the prescribed procedure of zero tolerance will follow." 

Chatziagorakis was among individuals arrested in northern Greece this week on suspicion of belonging to one of two criminal rings illegally excavating and exporting antiquities. He allegedly was advising the ring members where to search. The case is ongoing.