An Orthodox priest is facing unprecedented criminal charges over allegedly excessive church bell ringing and unauthorised use of loudspeakers, amid an escalating dispute in a mountain village.
Father George Kourris has been served with 20 criminal charges relating to noise pollution and unauthorised amplification at the Archangel Michael church in Platanistasa, authorities said.
The charges stem from incidents between July and September 2024, when residents, including the village head, filed police complaints about noise levels from the church.
Prosecutors allege Kourris violated Article 187 of the Criminal Code by using amplification equipment without proper authorisation on July 14, 2024, causing public disturbance.
Some villagers provided audio recordings of the bell ringing to police as evidence, according to court documents.
Kourris, who received the court summons whilst recovering from open-heart surgery, has denied the accusations. He questioned how a church could function without bell ringing and disputed claims about prolonged use.
The dispute intensified following local council elections last summer, when relations between the priest and some residents, including the community leader, deteriorated significantly.
The case file includes testimony from 10 witnesses – eight village residents, including the community leader, and two police officers.
Attempts at mediation have failed to resolve the conflict, with no agreement reached between the priest and residents.
The local Metropolitan church has not responded to Kourris’s request for guidance on bell-ringing protocols.
Kourris is scheduled to appear at the Nicosia District Court on March 4, 2024.
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