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What began as an attempt to reclaim a monastery cell and change its lock has ended with a 51-year-old monk facing trial for attempted murder.
The monk was referred Friday to the Paphos Criminal Court, where he is scheduled to appear on Oct. 7. He is accused of attacking a 53-year-old technician at the Holy Monastery of Saint Neophytos in Tala with the blade of a paper cutter.
The Criminal Court will rule on Aug. 18 on whether the monk should remain behind bars until his trial. He will remain in custody until that decision is issued.
The unusual case centers on two monastery cells, a key the monk allegedly refused to surrender, and an early-morning confrontation that quickly turned violent.
What allegedly happened at the monastery
According to the case investigator’s account in court, the incident began at around 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 7.
The monastery’s abbot, Bishop Leontios of Chytra, went to the 51-year-old monk’s cell intending to recover its key.
The court heard that the monk had been occupying two cells for approximately four or five years. One had previously been used by his father, who has since died, and was now being used by the monk himself.
The abbot was accompanied by several monks, a novice, and a 53-year-old technician who installs locks. The technician had reportedly been asked to attend in case the monk refused to hand over the key and the lock needed to be replaced.
When the abbot asked the monk to open the cell, he complied, the investigator said.
Once inside, the abbot reportedly found the room in considerable disorder and told the monk that workers would be brought in to clean it.
The 51-year-old allegedly responded that he wanted to remove his belongings himself, gradually, before closing the door again.
The situation escalated when the abbot asked for the key.
According to the investigator, the monk refused to surrender it. The abbot then attempted to take it from his hand, and the two men ended up gripping each other’s arms.
When the 53-year-old technician stepped between them in an effort to separate them, the monk allegedly attacked him with a sharp object, striking him in the neck and right arm.
A 27-year-old monk then grabbed the suspect from behind to prevent a further attack, the court heard. During the struggle, the 51-year-old allegedly used a paper-cutter blade to injure the younger monk’s hand.
The younger monk eventually released him after noticing that the technician was bleeding from his neck.
The 53-year-old was taken to the accident and emergency department at Paphos General Hospital. He was treated for wounds to his neck and right upper arm, which required stitches, and remained in hospital.
Police officers later arrived at the monastery, carried out examinations, and located the suspect.
During questioning, the monk allegedly admitted carrying out the attack, telling investigators that he had reacted because he wanted to empty the cell himself.
He was arrested at around 1:30 p.m. the same day under a court warrant.
Defense challenges continued detention
The monk faces charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession and carrying of an offensive weapon, and wounding.
His lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, objected to the prosecution’s request that he remain in custody until trial.
Alexandrou argued that the possibility of his client being convicted was “almost non-existent” and maintained that there was no risk of him attempting to flee.
He told the court that the monk is a Cypriot citizen who has lived on the island for the past 25 years, is highly regarded in the Paphos district and has very strong ties to Cyprus.
His permanent home is the Monastery of Saint Neophytos, the lawyer said, arguing that he has neither a motive nor any reason to leave the country.
The prosecution requested that the monk remain in custody until his appearance before the criminal court.
For now, the 51-year-old remains detained. His immediate future, whether he returns to the monastery or stays behind bars while awaiting trial, will be decided Tuesday morning.
