Police are broadening their investigation into the Saint Habakkuk Monastery affair, as new developments emerge in the case involving financial impropriety allegations.
As the first criminal case against two archimandrites of the monastery is set to be heard at the Nicosia Criminal Court next Friday, police investigations are expanding into new directions.
Following court-ordered disclosure of certain individuals’ bank accounts, a banking institution has reportedly submitted a report to MOKAS, the Financial Intelligence Unit. This action is described as standard procedure when suspicious account movements are detected.
Police investigators are now conducting further inquiries into the financial data of individuals and organisations linked to the case, focusing on clarifying fund transfers and their origins.
The investigation, which began in March, stems from complaints by Bishop Isaias of Tamasos and Orini regarding €807,000 found in the monastery, and counter-accusations by suspended Archimandrite Nectarios about improper financial transactions.
Parallel investigations continue into allegations of labour exploitation at the monastery, with a monk claiming he was forced to work without pay. This case file is nearing completion and will be sent to the Law Office for review.
Additionally, authorities are examining a report from the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection concerning the monastery’s closed-circuit monitoring system.
To date, police have investigated 12 cases related to the Saint Habakkuk Monastery, with one case filed in court and 11 others under ongoing investigation.
Two criminal investigators appointed by the Attorney General are assisting with the probe, which initially raised concerns about the potential involvement of high-profile individuals.
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