Abbakum Monastery trial continues with defense objections over evidence

The trial concerning the financial aspect of the Saint Abbakum Monastery scandal continued on Tuesday at the Nicosia Permanent Assize Court. The proceedings focused on objections raised by the defense regarding the admissibility of photographic evidence and items presented by the prosecution. Defense attorney Kostis Efstathiou, representing the first defendant Monk Nektarios, argued that the evidence was obtained illegally without a search warrant. The defense claims that items including safes, cash, religious symbols, and heirlooms were seized unlawfully from the monastery and the home of the defendant's mother, F.Z., and subsequently transferred to the Tamassos Diocese. This dispute arose during the testimony of the prosecution’s first witness, police officer P.K., who documented various items during the police investigation. The court is currently addressing whether these materials meet legal requirements for admissibility in the ongoing criminal trial.