Legal Service Reviews Osiou Avakoum Monastery Scandal
Amidst the quiet hum of deliberation, the Legal Service gathered on Thursday morning to meticulously examine the findings from the police investigations into the Osiou Avakoum monastery scandal. The session, which commenced at 10am, was a marathon of legal scrutiny, with expectations set for an extensive review lasting several hours.
At the heart of the discussions were the investigators responsible for the case, who were slated to present a detailed account of their discoveries to Attorney-General George Savvides. The revelations awaiting the AG’s assessment included not just the intricate details of the case but also a disturbing video that has caught national attention—a monk caught on camera assaulting a woman. This particular incident has been directed to the police’s vulnerable persons unit for further action.
Public sentiment has been tinged with frustration over the perceived delay in arrests. Meanwhile, a six-member church committee has been reported to be working tirelessly, at what has been described as a ‘feverish pace’, to address the scandal that has rocked the monastery to its core.
The controversy erupted into the public sphere following allegations involving two monks. These individuals were purportedly found in possession of a staggering €800,000 in cash, along with property holdings in Greece and Limassol. Compounding the scandal, they were allegedly captured on CCTV in compromising sexual encounters with one another.
In parallel with the ongoing review, a separate assembly is scheduled to convene within the confines of the AG’s office. The focus of this meeting will be on another contentious issue—the ‘golden passports’ scheme, which has been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny in its own right.
As the legal gears turn, stakeholders and observers alike await decisive outcomes from these high-stakes meetings, with the anticipation that justice and transparency will prevail in the wake of these unsettling revelations.
