Illegal monastery remains standing despite demolition order

A monastery owned by the Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta, illegally built in the protected Cape Greco area, remains standing despite court orders to demolish it, according to a report by Pavlos Neophytou in this Sunday's Kathimerini.  The construction, located in "Mazeri of Koukos," was not granted planning, building, or environmental permits. Although the deadline for demolition expired on August 31, authorities have taken no action. The delay stems partly from concerns about further legal challenges by the Metropolis, which has appealed to the courts to legalize the construction.

A ruling on July 25 granted the Famagusta Environmental Planning Authority (EOA) permission to demolish the building. However, due to restrictions set by the Department of Environment to protect birdlife, demolition cannot take place in September. The EOA also hesitated, fearing legal repercussions if the Metropolis wins its appeal in the Supreme Court. The monastery has been using all legal avenues to delay action.

The case has sparked debate about the state's inability to enforce laws and the political reluctance to address the issue, as local political figures tied to the church remain silent. Some of these individuals, including former and current heads of planning authorities, are members of the Metropolis’ advisory 'Throne Committee', raising concerns about conflicts of interest. Local politicians, such as former Ayia Napa Mayor Christos Zannettos, have even defended the construction, citing the "survival of Hellenism" as a justification.

The Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK) criticized the lack of immediate intervention by local authorities and ministries, highlighting that the construction did not appear overnight. Events like weddings and fundraisers have been held at the illegal site, with high-ranking officials in attendance, raising questions about complicity. The Ministry of Interior acknowledges the need for legislative reforms to better enforce decisions and curb illegal construction. A disciplinary investigation by ETEK is ongoing against the engineers involved in the project.

The Interior Ministry is working on improving the legal framework, and new enforcement strategies are being considered, such as surveillance teams to monitor illegal construction in real time. Despite these efforts, the case highlights the challenges of dealing with illegal developments in Cyprus, as political, legal, and institutional obstacles continue to slow progress.