Defence questions testimony over €790,000 in Avakoum monastery safes

Nicosia, Cyprus. Defence lawyers challenged a prosecution witness on Wednesday at Nicosia criminal court over €790,000 reportedly held in safes at Avakoum monastery. The questioning addressed when suspected financial irregularities came to light and whether Abbot Nektarios had acknowledged wrongdoing before receiving details of the allegations.

Questions over funds and alleged admissions

Representing Nektarios, lawyer Costis Efstathiou questioned Father Dionysios Koptides about the timing of the discovery of the alleged irregularities. He challenged how his client could have admitted financial misconduct without the specific actions attributed to him having been explained.

Related: Court hears dispute over Tamasos bishopric land transfer to Avakoum monastery in monks’ money laundering trial

RelatedCourt hears dispute over Tamasos bishopric land transfer to Avakoum monastery in monks’ money laundering trial

Dionysios told the court that the funds ought to have been reported to the Tamasos bishopric. He clarified, however, that there had been no financial investigation at that stage and that the amount was subsequently declared.

Efstathiou also raised the opening of a safe and the counting of the money inside. He referred to testimony that Nektarios had requested to attend because he knew its combination. Dionysios said he was present for only a few minutes of the count before departing.

Other allegations and appeal for complaints

During cross-examination, Efstathiou also questioned Dionysios about allegations of a sexual nature. The lawyer argued that these matters were absent from the witness’s written account and accused him of giving false testimony about them.

The court also considered a public announcement seeking complaints concerning the monastery or its members, issued at the request of Bishop Isaias of Tamasos.

Dionysios confirmed that the metropolitan had requested the announcement but said he had not been given a reason for it. He added that complaints were later lodged with police, though he could not remember their number.