Court of Appeal upholds prison sentences for church burglary

On May 26, 2026, the Court of Appeal issued a decision upholding the original prison sentences for a 48-year-old man convicted of burglarizing the Apostle Andreas church in Aglantzia. The defendant had pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, burglary at night, theft, malicious damage, and receiving stolen property. He stole jewelry worth €2,832 and caused €150 in damages to the church's windows and display cases. The Nicosia District Court had originally sentenced him to terms ranging from 3 to 22 months, with the 22-month sentence being the longest. The Attorney General appealed the decision, arguing the original sentences were manifestly inadequate given the defendant's criminal history and the nature of the offenses. While the Court of Appeal acknowledged that the original court failed to give sufficient weight to the defendant's recurring criminal behavior, it decided not to increase the sentences. The court ruled that the defendant's ongoing commitment to a drug rehabilitation program serves as a critical mitigating factor that offsets the need for a harsher penalty.