investigation

Police pursue evidence in St Habakkuk scandal

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Police pursue evidence in St Habakkuk scandal

– Police investigators visited the Tamassos Bishopric to gather more evidence related to the scandal at the Saint Habakkuk Monastery.
– They reviewed video footage of hooded individuals’ “invasion” on March 5 to ascertain if off-duty police officers were present.
– Criminal investigators have been involved in the investigations, focusing on whether there was police involvement at the Monastery.
– The investigation is examining €807,000 in cash found at the Monastery and the origin of this money.
– The Cybercrime Unit and the Vulnerable Groups Management Sub-Directorate are also involved in the investigation.
– The investigation includes examining a video of a monk assaulting a woman with a belt.
– The Police have evidence of over €800,000 from the Monastery.
– The publication of videos related to the case could potentially harm future court proceedings.
– The security company employing the hooded individuals who entered the Monastery has a license.
– Neither the woman assaulted by the monk nor Archimandrites Nektarios and Porphyrios are assisting in the investigation of the assault.
– The case may go to court after further investigation and testimonies.
– Archimandrites Nektarios and Porphyrios have not yet testified against Bishop Isaiah regarding threats and violence but plan to do so after gathering all necessary material.

Our View: The monastery fiasco exposed Church failings

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Our View: The monastery fiasco exposed Church failings

The Osiou Avakoum monastery and two monks are on trial before a Synod Court for various allegations including sexual relations between the celibate monks, staging miracles to generate donations, accumulating a large amount of cash, forced confessions, and involvement of a bishop in trying to cover up the scandal. The scandal also involves links to Elam leader Christos Christou. Over four years, the abbot Nektarios and archimandrite Porfyrios built a church and monastery with funds collected from the faithful, exploiting the marketing of fake miracles. The Bishop of Tamasos, Isaias, under whose authority the monastery falls, is implicated for not taking action despite the apparent signs of misconduct. The Church hierarchy has been criticized for allowing these activities to occur. The case has gained public attention, leading to a trial and a police investigation for potential criminal offences related to taking money under false pretenses. Archbishop Georgios has urged the police to fully investigate the case.

India antitrust body to probe Google, ’s in-app billing amid dispute with startups

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India antitrust body to probe Google, ’s in-app billing amid dispute with startups

India’s antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), ordered an investigation into Alphabet Inc’s Google for its in-app billing system policies, which are alleged to be implemented in a discriminatory manner against local startups. This decision follows complaints from Indian startups about the fees Google charges for in-app payments. The dispute intensified after Google removed over 100 Indian apps from its app store for billing violations, which were later restored following intervention by the Indian government. The CCI has directed its investigation unit to complete the probe within 60 days. Google, which denies any wrongdoing, asserts that the fees are for supporting investments in the Google Play app store and the Android mobile operating system, allowing for their free distribution. This investigation comes after Google was previously ordered by Indian antitrust authorities in 2022 to dismantle a system that charged a 15% to 30% fee on in-app payments, with efforts from some Indian startups to prevent Google from imposing a fee of 11% to 26%.

President says everything will investigated in monastery scandal

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President says everything will investigated in monastery scandal

President Nikos Christodoulides stated that all aspects of the scandals at the Osiou Avakoum monastery will be thoroughly investigated. He responded to criticism from the opposition party Akel, asserting that the scandal does not reflect governmental failures. Christodoulides emphasized that any cases arising from the investigation would be brought to justice promptly, highlighting ongoing investigations into police responsibilities and allegations. The police have been criticized for their handling of the monastery scandal but have denied giving the church special treatment.

Police deny delays over monk scandal

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Police deny delays over monk scandal

The police have been criticized for their handling of a scandal involving monks, with accusations of special treatment due to the church’s influence being denied by the police. Videos have surfaced showing a monk assaulting a woman and staging a fake miracle, but lawyers claim these videos are doctored and have criticized the police’s approach, suggesting evidence may have been tampered with. The police spokesman, Christos Andreou, stated that there is insufficient evidence for arrests and mentioned the possibility of issuing European arrest warrants to prevent implicated parties from fleeing the country. He confirmed that no police action would be taken until after a Holy Synod meeting, as agreed upon by the attorney general, police chief, and archbishop. Andreou also revealed that police leadership was unaware of officers in civilian clothes being present at the Osiou Avakoum monastery during an incident involving hooded individuals. This operation, ordered by Tamassos Bishop Isaias for transferring valuable items, unexpectedly included €800,000 in cash, which the police did not intervene to secure, leading to criticism from MPs. The presence of plainclothes officers and the far-right party leader, Christos Christou, at the scene has sparked further controversy. The involvement of the secret service has been rumored but not confirmed. The police have investigated the monastery multiple times but not the bishopric, and it is unclear when the money was taken into police custody for investigation.

Russia systematically tortures Ukraine POWs, UN commission says

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Russia systematically tortures Ukraine POWs, UN commission says

A United Nations commission of inquiry on Ukraine reported that Russia has systematically tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war, including threats of rape and electric shocks on genitals. The commission described these acts as “widespread and systematic,” potentially amounting to crimes against humanity. The report highlighted severe and brutal treatment of detainees, leading to significant pain and suffering. Despite Russia’s denial of such actions, the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, which received the report, will consider extending the commission’s mandate. The commission also noted instances of ill-treatment by Ukrainian forces, which Kyiv has pledged to investigate. Additionally, the report detailed extreme conditions in Russian detention centers, including prisoners resorting to eating soap, worms, and leftover dog food. One Ukrainian soldier experienced severe beatings, leading to significant health issues and multiple hospitalizations. The commission’s chair, Erik Møse, emphasized the need for further investigation to establish these acts as part of Russian policy, while Germany’s ambassador called for accountability. Ukraine’s ambassador urged for the extension of the commission’s mandate to gather more evidence for potential use in legal proceedings.

Foreign ministry probes allegations of , ‘toxic’ behaviour at embassy

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Foreign ministry probes allegations of , ‘toxic’ behaviour at embassy

The foreign ministry of Cyprus initiated an investigation following allegations of sexist and homophobic behavior by a staff member at one of its embassies in a European country. These allegations surfaced after a female clerk resigned, citing harassment and intolerable working conditions, including constant sexist and homophobic comments, as well as an atmosphere of shouting and tension. The behavior was attributed to the male ambassador of the embassy in the specific European country. The investigation is being conducted by the General Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the possibility of appointing an investigating officer for potential disciplinary or criminal offenses. This situation arises in the context of a recent policy declaration signed by all members of the Cypriot government, expressing zero tolerance for sexist and harassing behavior.

Arrest made in money laundering case

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Arrest made in money laundering case

A 43-year-old man was arrested in Cyprus for being suspected of receiving millions of euros from a 31-year-old Ukrainian woman since August 2023. The woman is accused of transferring a total of €8 million to Cyprus and was arrested for money laundering after reporting a robbery of €420,000 in cash. She has been remanded in custody and faces 60 charges related to money laundering. The case is under investigation by the anti-money laundering unit (Mokas).

Archbishop expresses regret over monastery scandal

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Archbishop expresses regret over monastery scandal

Cyprus’ Archbishop Georgios expressed regret over the scandal at the Osiou Avakoum monastery involving allegations of fraud, misconduct, and immorality among clergy members. He announced a thorough investigation into the scandals and urged police and authorities to fully investigate. The Holy Synod has tasked its judicial bodies with investigating the case. Additionally, the monastery is under scrutiny for being built on land protected under the Natura 2000 environmental policy, leading to legal action against the monastery, the church committee, and Archimandrite Nektarios Georgiou for unauthorised constructions. Two investigators have been appointed to examine any criminal offences related to the case, and there are calls for the money laundering unit to investigate the church. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis committed to fully investigating the scandal.

Turgay Avci resigns as Yodak chairman

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Turgay Avci resigns as Yodak chairman

– Turgay Avci resigned as chairman of the north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak) on Friday.
– Avci resigned after a scandal involving alleged forgery of diplomas and bribes in the north’s higher education sector.
– Avci and former Yodak board member Mehmet Hasguler are accused of taking under-the-table payments during the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU)’s medicine school’s application for Yodak accreditation.
– Both Avci and Hasguler were released on bail.
– Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar had called for Avci’s resignation and instructed the north’s supreme court to fire him.
– Yodak’s deputy chairman, Hasan Amca, took temporary charge of the authority amid the criminal proceedings against Avci.