investigation

Parties demand probe into ELAM’s Saint Habakkuk scandal connection

by
Parties demand probe into ELAM’s Saint Habakkuk scandal connection

The president of ELAM, Christos Christou, was present at the Tamasos Bishopric during the transfer and counting of money from the safe of Saint Habakkuk, causing reactions from political parties. DISY, AKEL, DIKO, EDEK, DIPA, and the Greens are demanding explanations, with AKEL addressing the issue in the House of Representatives. Christou claims his presence was as an enthroned commissioner appointed by bishop Isaiah and criticizes AKEL’s stance towards the Church. Political parties have various reactions, with some denouncing ELAM and others calling for a thorough investigation into the events at Saint Habakkuk and the involvement of Christou. DIKO’s president, Nikolas Papadopoulos, emphasizes the need for investigation by competent authorities and raises questions about Christou’s presence and ELAM’s connections. EDEK suggests involving the Attorney General and lifting Christou’s parliamentary immunity, while DIPA emphasizes the importance of separating Church and State. The Greens suggest investigating Christou’s involvement in relation to the MPs’ code of ethics.

Bank accounts under scrutiny in Saint Habakkuk scandal

by
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.

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

by
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.

Lawyers dispute validity of video in Saint Habakkuk scandal

by
Lawyers dispute validity of video in Saint Habakkuk scandal

The lawyers of two archimandrites issued a statement regarding leaked video footage related to the placement of myrrh in the Holy Monastery of Saint Habakkuk. They stated that the video does not show any scheming of fraud, with one instructing the other to place myrrh and clarified that Monk Nektarios never claimed the myrrh was miraculous. They also mentioned that the video is allegedly manipulated to harm the priests. The lawyers welcomed the Synodal Court’s announcement, seeing it as a step towards proper investigation before the Ecclesiastical Court convenes, as they had requested in a letter to the Holy Synod.

Barbershop bomb suspect remanded

by
Barbershop bomb suspect remanded

A 42-year-old man was arrested and remanded in custody in connection with a bomb explosion at a barbershop in Nicosia on Sunday evening. The explosion was caused by an explosive device placed in front of the shop, resulting in extensive damage. Police investigations are ongoing, and incriminating testimony led to the man’s arrest.

Woman arrested in north scandal handed public sector job

by
Woman arrested in north scandal handed public sector job

Meray Durust, who was arrested in connection with a fake diploma scandal, has started working in a new public sector role despite the ongoing case against her. She was previously arrested and accused of obtaining a false degree from the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University, and was sacked from her position as director of the north’s ‘labour ministry’. However, she has now returned to her former position as a civil servant in the Morphou District Governor’s office. This decision has been criticized by Kudret Ozersay, a former negotiator for the Cyprus problem, who believes that individuals under police investigation should be removed from public duty.

Calls for resignation over money laundering oversight

by
Calls for resignation over money laundering oversight

MPs in Cyprus have expressed concerns over the country’s compliance with money laundering regulations due to a lack of coordination and communication between the police, the money laundering unit (Mokas), and the customs office. Over €160 million in cash has entered Cyprus in the past four years, raising questions about tax evasion and money laundering investigations. A recent case involved the arrest of a 31-year-old Ukrainian woman facing 60 counts of money laundering, having brought €8 million in cash to the country. There is criticism over a “strange” meeting in 2023 where police allegedly instructed the customs office to route information through them before reaching Mokas, a directive not supported by law. The customs office provides Mokas with a USB detailing declared cash sums every three months, indicating a delay in communication. Concerns were raised about the lack of real-time information sharing, the effectiveness of the legal framework against money laundering, and the existence of a shadow economy. The committee chair criticized the absence of coordination among state services and described the situation as “criminal” due to the inaction of Mokas and the police.

Saint Habakkuk involved in environmental scandal

by
Saint Habakkuk involved in environmental scandal

– The hermitage of Saint Habakkuk was illegally erected and converted into the Holy Monastery of Saint Habakkuk by the Holy Synod on March 21, 2022.
– Efforts have been made for two years to legalize the monastery’s facilities through registration and road construction.
– Government departments have refused the retroactive legalization due to the monastery being built in a Natura 2000 Network area without environmental studies.
– Legal actions were initiated against the Monastery, the church committee, and Archimandrite Nektarios Georgiou for unauthorized constructions.
– The first inspection occurred in September 2022, and by March 2023, illegal buildings and lack of final approvals for various constructions were identified.
– On March 17, 2023, the Monastery was notified of the decision to take legal action, leading to a court case with 18 charges filed in July 2023, with a trial scheduled for March 26, 2024.
– Pressure was exerted to register a road leading to the monastery to grant legal access and obtain a license.
– The road falls within agricultural zone G3, protection zone Z1, the Special Protection Zone of the Natura 2000 Network named Madari – Papoutsa, and the Community Importance Area named Fountoukodasi Pitsilias, and is a known migratory bird corridor.
– The Department of Environment emphasized the negative impacts of road widening on the Natura 2000 Network areas.
– A meeting on March 21, 2023, discussed the road’s registration and construction, requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment study for approval.
– The Game and Fauna Service opposed the registration of roads through Nature Protection areas to prevent encouraging residential development in these areas.
– The Department of Environment had no objection to issuing a license for the legalization of the illegally erected cells and auxiliary spaces at the hermitage as of a month after the March 21, 2023 request for opinions.

Where do we live?

by
Where do we live?

The text describes a situation involving the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk, where revelations have come to light, likened to “Sodom and Gomorrah.” The former Chief of Police and the President of ELAM were found at the Bishopric of Tamassos counting confiscated money from the Monastery. Despite the unusual nature of their presence, they responded naturally to journalists’ inquiries. The ELAM party leader claimed to be an observer on the throne committee, although his name was not officially recorded at the Bishopric. Another individual, not listed on the Metropolis website, claimed he was simply a friend of Isaiah and saw nothing wrong with the situation. Questions are raised about whether there will be an investigation beyond the ecclesiastical process and if there will be any accountability.