Police to seize €807,000 from St Habakkuk monastery in money laundering probe

Police to seize €807,000 from St Habakkuk monastery in money laundering probe

Police are set to seize €807,000 found in a safe at the Saint Habakkuk monastery as part of a money laundering probe. The Police’s Financial Intelligence Unit will request a court order to freeze the funds to prevent them from being moved or concealed. Separate investigations into the monastery’s finances are also underway, looking into various aspects including fundraising practices and potential financial irregularities. Significant developments are expected next week, with completed cases involving assault and sexual harassment being prepared for submission to the Attorney General’s Office.

Bishop Isaiah testifies on monastery allegations

Bishop Isaiah testifies on monastery allegations

– Bishop Isaiah of Tamassos testified for three days about financial irregularities and other actions by the monks of the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk, which he claims are criminal offenses.
– During his testimony, Bishop Isaiah mentioned a citizen’s complaint of sexual harassment against him.
– The complainant and theologian Theodoros Kyriakou also testified about the sexual harassment case.
– Bishop Isaiah provided evidence including photographs, audio recordings, and videos to support his allegations.
– It is suggested that the area around the bishop was under surveillance, but there is no indication of illegal recording.
– Monks of the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk were aware that their actions were being recorded and allegedly tried to disable the sound unsuccessfully.
– There is no information about a video circulating that records confessions of the faithful.
– Priests and employees at the Bishopric of Tamassos testified mainly about the financial management of the monastery and denied any form of violence against the monks.
– The testimonies described interactions with the monks, including the transfer of a safe to the bishop of Tamassos and the monks visiting the Bishopric’s office voluntarily.
– The monks under investigation claimed they were pressured into admitting to allegations.
– Two monks who recently went missing are to be summoned for testimony before the investigative committee of the Holy Synod and have been seen in various places.