Lawyers reveal source of €807,000 found in safe

Lawyers representing two monks at the center of the scandal at the Monastery of Saint Avvakoum have returned with a new letter, shedding light on the origin of the €807,000 found in a safe. According to the letter, the money discovered in the personal safe of Abbot Archimandrite Nektarios, acting as the money manager and trustee, did not stem from contributions of the faithful. Instead, it belonged to family members and friends whose children are part of the monastery's brotherhood in Fterikoudi.

The petition, filed in the Nicosia District Court by lawyers Ms. Adriana Klaidi and Mr. Athos Kannaourides on April 16, 2024, aimed to establish the legitimacy of the funds. Evidence presented, including bank account withdrawals and transfers from Cypriot banks, along with certificates from the Department of Taxation and Social Insurance, supports the claim.

Additionally, the lawyers sought to highlight that the police failed to disclose crucial information before obtaining freezing and charging orders from the Attorney General. This oversight, they argue, misled the court and led to the freezing of their clients' assets. The legal team reiterated their clients' willingness to participate in any ecclesiastical investigation, accompanied by their lawyers, emphasizing their commitment to transparency throughout the process.