investigations

St Habakkuk: New serious allegations set to emerge

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St Habakkuk: New serious allegations set to emerge

– A scandal involving the Saint Habakkuk Monastery has been revealed, with potential for more serious allegations to surface.
– There are complaints under review, including one for forgery and others for conspiracy.
– An intense media battle is ongoing between defrocked and accused monks and the Bishop of Tamassos and Orini, Isaias.
– The conflict may have arisen from the Bishop’s detection of irregular activity within the monastery or from the Metropolitan’s requests for large sums of money from the monastery, which were denied.
– The monks’ legal team is attempting to present their clients as the aggrieved party and has requested the immediate suspension of Isaias from the Holy Synod.
– A news report claimed Father Nectarios assured the Bishop of no financial impropriety, which the lawyers denied.
– Accusations of financial demands by the Bishop are supported by evidence including testimonies of monks and SMS messages.
– A monk was involved in a physical altercation with a woman, which was captured on video. The woman later defended the monk and claimed their relationship remained unaffected.
– Another allegation involves a monk applying myrrh to a cross, which the Bishop complained resembled a miracle. This was countered with a testimony claiming the cross was cleaned with antiseptic liquid and ethyl alcohol.

Our View: Political will to protect environment is nonexistant

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Our View: Political will to protect environment is nonexistant

Cyprus governments have historically not prioritized environmental protection, often disregarding their own regulations and laws to favor local communities, developers, and interest groups, despite pressure from the European Union. This has led to Cyprus being referred to the European Court for not adequately protecting Natura 2000 sites. All governments have failed to protect the environment, with a notable example being unauthorized road works in the Akamas area. Despite two investigations into these road works, the reasons behind the deviation from agreed specifications remain undisclosed, prompting a third investigation. The European Commission has criticized Cyprus for approving projects that could harm Natura 2000 areas without proper impact studies, despite a warning letter sent in 2019. Cyprus has designated 37 sites as Special Areas of Conservation, yet no conservation measures have been established for 28 of these. In response to the Commission’s report, the agriculture ministry claimed to have initiated inter-departmental working groups to complete the legal framework for managing Natura 2000 areas, aiming for full compliance with EU directives. However, the lack of political will is seen as a significant barrier to genuine environmental protection.

Monastery implicated in environmental scandal

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Monastery implicated in environmental scandal

The Osiou Avakoum monastery was implicated in an environmental scandal for being built on land protected under the Natura 2000 environmental policy. Legal action has been taken against the monastery, the church committee, and Archimandrite Nektarios Georgiou for unauthorized constructions on the site. Investigations revealed illegal constructions and a lack of final approvals for various buildings. The monastery, constructed in 2020, is also under police investigation for claims of financial extortion.

Government , ‘has no plan B’ over Vasiliko LNG terminal

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Government , ‘has no plan B’ over Vasiliko LNG terminal

The Vasiliko liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project in Cyprus is currently stalled, with no alternative plan (“plan B”) in place, as stated by Energy Minister George Papanastasiou. The project is facing delays due to arbitration proceedings between the Republic of Cyprus and the Chinese-led consortium responsible for building the LNG plant. Despite reservations about the consortium, the government aims to complete the project with the current contractor as the fastest solution, requiring the project to be delivered by July 2024. This deadline comes after two previous extensions, with the initial completion date set for September 2022. Papanastasiou remains optimistic about the project’s completion and is in discussions with the Chinese Ambassador Liu Yantao. Concerns about potential violations and the need for possible criminal investigations have been raised, with some suggesting the matter be referred to the Anti-Corruption Authority.

Shocking video of monk beating woman (video)

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Shocking video of monk beating woman (video)

A new video has emerged showing a woman being beaten with a belt by a monk at the Osiou Avakoum monastery. This incident follows a previous video where the woman was shouted at to leave the monastery. The police have announced they will be investigating the incident. In the video, the woman attempts to give an item to a monk, is berated, pushed to the ground, and hit with a belt so forcefully that the buckle reportedly flew off. Police are also conducting two other investigations related to the Osiou Avakoum monastery. The video of the incident was aired on Sigma TV.

Man found with valuable items arrested

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Man found with valuable items arrested

Police arrested a 40-year-old man in Limassol for possession of stolen jewelry. During a raid on his house, officers found ten wristwatches, four rings, an engagement ring with an engraving, a gold coin, three collector’s coins, a bike, an electric bike, and other items. The man could not explain how he acquired these items, leading to his arrest and the seizure of the items as evidence. Police are continuing their investigations.

Bank accounts under scrutiny in Saint Habakkuk scandal

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Bank accounts under scrutiny in Saint Habakkuk scandal

Financial crime prosecutors are investigating Saint Habakkuk, examining documents and reports from the bishop’s deposition and summoning individuals for testimony. They are investigating property acquisitions by monks in Cyprus and Greece, bank account disclosures, and the origin of €807,000 in cash found at the monastery. The Tax Department is investigating the monastery’s financial obligations to the state. The Economic Crime Unit has received 15 testimonies and continues to evaluate evidence. Police Internal Affairs is investigating complaints against bishop Isaiah and others for alleged abduction and assault. Two policemen admitted to transporting valuable items from the monastery at bishop Tamasou’s request. Lawyers for two archimandrites claimed a videotape concerning myrrh found in the monastery was forged and illegally processed.

Property theft suspect apprehended in Limassol

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Property theft suspect apprehended in Limassol

A 40-year-old man in Limassol was arrested for illegal possession of property suspected to be stolen, including ten wristwatches, four rings, one engagement ring with an inscription, one gold pound, three collectible coins, seven small coins, a bicycle, an electric bicycle, and other items. The arrest occurred after a police search of his residence under a judicial warrant. The suspect failed to provide satisfactory explanations for possessing these items and is currently in custody while investigations continue.

Man arrested for attempted car theft

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Man arrested for attempted car theft

In Paphos, a 36-year-old man was arrested for attempting to steal a car in Kato Paphos by trying to start it with cables after breaking into it. The police were alerted by citizens and found the man in the car, which had its license plates inside and was registered to a 53-year-old resident of Paphos. The man could not provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions and was arrested for unlawful possession of property. The police are investigating to determine the circumstances under which the car came into the man’s possession.

EDEK demands investigation into ELAM leader’s role in Saint Habakkuk scandal

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EDEK demands investigation into ELAM leader’s role in Saint Habakkuk scandal

EDEK has demanded decisive action from state authorities in response to the Saint Habakkuk Monastery scandal involving the ELAM party leader and the former Police Chief. They propose the following measures:
1. The Attorney General’s voluntary intervention and the appointment of independent criminal investigators to fully clarify the case, including potential criminal offenses.
2. Lifting the parliamentary immunity of the ELAM President to facilitate investigations into his involvement.
3. An expert investigation into the timing of the letter appointing the ELAM President as the throne commissioner of the Metropolitan.
4. Summoning the former Chief of Police to investigate his involvement in the scandal.