**Avakoum Case Continues Before Nicosia Criminal Court**
The trial concerning the financial scandal linked to the holy monastery of Saint Avakoum resumed on Wednesday at the Nicosia criminal court. The proceedings began with significant developments, including the amendment of three counts in the indictment against Monk Nektarios.
Vassilis Bissas, the representative of the prosecution, initiated the session by requesting amendments to charges 10, 11, and 13 of the indictment. These amendments were intended to align the charges with the testimony expected to be presented during the trial. The charges in question involve serious allegations: charges 10 and 13 pertain to the circulation of false documents in a fraudulent manner, while charge 11 addresses the theft of €20,000.
The court approved Bissas' request, resulting in the formal amendment of the indictment. In response to the changes, Monk Nektarios pleaded not guilty to all three revised charges.
Following this, the defense for the first accused, Kostis Efstathiou, sought further clarification regarding charges 1, 4, and 15 of the indictment. The defense requested specific details regarding the ownership of the funds that Efstathiou is alleged to have unlawfully possessed, as well as the nature of the alleged illegal activities that constitute the basis for the money laundering charge.
The first prosecution witness, a constable, then took the stand. He provided testimony regarding a report he filed on March 24, 2024, which included photographs of items collected during the police investigation. These items were photographed on March 9 and 13, 2024, in the Diocese of Tamasos, Episkopi. The constable explained that he had documented various objects and sums of money relevant to the ongoing investigation and had transferred this photographic evidence onto two digital discs, comprising a total of 203 images. However, he clarified that he had not processed the photographic material himself.
As the prosecution attempted to introduce the photographs as evidence, the defense for both accused raised an objection. They argued that the photographs, which were taken from the monastery and the residence of Efstathiou's mother, could not be presented without a valid search warrant, as this would violate legal provisions. The defense further contended that they had not been provided with these photographs prior to the trial.
In response, the prosecution asserted that the evidence had been shared with the defense during the referral stage of the case. Nevertheless, they proposed allowing the defense additional time to review the photographic evidence and to clarify which specific pieces of evidence they intended to contest.
The defense agreed to this suggestion, expressing that they had thus far received an "indefinite or at least incomplete list of evidence," rather than a comprehensive set of photographs that the prosecution planned to present.
The court ruled that the defense would be allowed to articulate its position regarding the photographs and other evidence at the next trial session. The continuation of the trial has been scheduled for June 16, 2026, at 9 a.m., with additional hearings set for June 18, 22, and 24.
The monks involved in this case face multiple serious charges, including conspiracy to defraud, forgery, the use of false documents, theft from a representative, illegal possession of property valued over €63,000, money laundering, interference in a judicial process, and filing a false tax return. Both accused maintain their innocence and have not admitted to any of the charges against them.
As the trial progresses, the legal proceedings surrounding the Saint Avakoum monastery scandal continue to attract attention, highlighting issues of financial misconduct and legal accountability within religious institutions. The upcoming sessions are expected to further delve into the evidence and testimonies that may shape the outcome of this high-profile case.