Nicosia, Cyprus. Questions were raised in Nicosia criminal court on Monday over the legitimacy of police actions in documenting and cataloguing evidentiary items in the ongoing Avakoum monastery trial. The defendants, monks Nektarios and Porfyrios, are facing multiple charges including conspiracy to defraud, forgery, theft by proxy, handling stolen goods, money laundering, interfering with judicial proceedings and submitting fraudulent tax returns.
Background of the case
The case came to light after authorities discovered €800,000 in cash and uncovered alleged fake miracles and CCTV footage of prohibited sexual acts.
Defence allegations over removal of items
Earlier in the trial, defence lawyers said that on the night of March 5, 2024, after the monastery had shut its gates, a number of individuals wearing hoods trespassed into the premises and removed various objects, which later ended up at the Tamasos bishopric.
The lawyers said the items subsequently came into the possession of the police and requested a trial within a trial to determine whether the items had been obtained unlawfully.
Court ruling on defence motion
The court later rejected the motion for a trial within a trial.
Police officer cross-examined
On Monday, lawyers for the defendants cross-examined a police officer who had taken photographs of various items at the Avakoum monastery and at the Tamasos bishopric.
The officer, the prosecution’s first witness, was questioned about his activities on March 9 and March 13, 2024.
Testimony on photographing and cataloguing evidence
The witness said that on March 9, as part of the police investigation, he went to the Tamasos bishopric to photograph various items of evidence. He said most of the photographs were taken in a basement, where members of the police financial crimes department were also present.
According to the witness, another officer pointed out the items he photographed. He said the items were then tagged and numbered, but that he did not recall who catalogued them.
