Cross-examination regarding evidence collection in the Osios Avvakoum monastery scandal

On Monday, the Nicosia Permanent Assize Court continued the cross-examination of a police officer regarding the procedures used to photograph evidence in the Osios Avvakoum monastery financial scandal. The witness, a police constable identified as P.E., was questioned about photos taken on March 9 and March 13, 2024, at the Tamassos Metropolis and the monastery premises. Defense attorney Kostis Efstathiou, representing the monk Nektarios, scrutinized the conditions under which money and objects were documented in a basement area of the Metropolis. The witness testified that he photographed items as instructed by another officer and that identification numbers were placed on objects in his presence. When pressed about the precise procedure of evidence placement and potential movement of items before photography, the witness frequently responded that he did not recall specific details. Defense counsel further challenged the consistency of the evidence chain of custody, specifically regarding photos of two safes. The court continues to examine the procedural integrity of the investigation.