Monk referred to trial for attempted murder at Agios Neofytos monastery

A 51-year-old monk from the Agios Neofytos Monastery in Tala, Paphos, has been referred for trial at the Permanent Criminal Court. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 7, 2026, following an incident on August 7 where the defendant allegedly attacked two individuals with a sharp object. The victim, a 53-year-old monastery maintenance worker, sustained serious injuries to the neck and hand, while a 27-year-old novice was also wounded in the hand.

The altercation reportedly stemmed from a dispute over the key to a cell previously occupied by the defendant's late father. According to accounts, the Abbot, accompanied by two others, sought to retrieve the key, leading to a violent confrontation. While police and prosecution seek his continued detention, the defendant's lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, has challenged this, arguing that his client should be released given his deep roots in the community and the low probability of conviction. The Paphos District Court is set to deliver its decision on the detention request on August 18, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Until that date, the monk remains in custody.