Criminal court proceedings continue in the Saint Avakoum monastery case

The Nicosia Criminal Court continues to hear the case against monks Nektarios and Porfyrios, who face multiple charges including conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and theft by proxy. On Wednesday, witnesses testified regarding financial contributions made to the monastery for items, such as an €8,000 chandelier, that were never delivered. One witness reported paying for a prayer and later funding the chandelier under the impression it would be purchased, but the monastery later ceased communication. A police officer also presented evidence and social media posts related to the monastery and the primary defendant. On Monday, the court rejected a defense objection regarding the admissibility of prosecution evidence. The defense had argued that items were obtained unlawfully and that the chain of custody was tainted, claiming individuals trespassed on the property on March 5, 2024. The court ruled that these issues regarding the legality and authenticity of evidence will be assessed during the main trial to avoid fragmenting the proceedings.