Monk to remain in custody following stabbing incident at Agios Neophytos Monastery

On October 7, 2026, the Paphos Criminal Court ordered a 51-year-old Romanian monk to remain in custody while facing trial for attempted murder. The defendant was referred to the court by the Paphos District Court following his initial arrest in August regarding a violent incident at the Agios Neophytos Monastery.

The charges stem from an August 7 incident where the monk allegedly attacked the monastery's abbot after being instructed to vacate his cell and surrender his keys. When a 53-year-old maintenance worker and a 27-year-old novice monk intervened to protect the abbot, the defendant attacked both with a knife, causing serious injury to the worker and wounding the novice on his hand. The monk was eventually disarmed and arrested by police at the scene.

During Wednesday's hearing, the defense attorney, Leandros Theocharous, requested that the defendant be released on bail. The Criminal Court rejected this application, citing the severity of the charges and the potential risk, effectively maintaining the defendant's detention. The court has scheduled the resumption of the trial for October 26, 2026, at 9:00.