Cypriot authorities arrested the suspended Archimandrite Nektarios today in connection with the ongoing investigation into financial crimes at the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk.
According to reports, Nektarios was arrested based on a warrant issued for financial offences.
He is expected to appear before the Nicosia District Court for a remand hearing.
According to Police Spokesperson Christos Andreou, the suspended Archimandrite faces a total of 11 charges and is suspected of, among other things, conspiracy to defraud, theft by agent, tax offences, money laundering, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, theft, illegal possession of property and interference with a judicial process.
The offences were committed between 2020 and 2024.
Andreou added that if new evidence emerges, further arrests cannot be ruled out.
The Saint Habakkuk Monastery scandal centres around alleged financial improprieties and misconduct.
The monks face accusations of money laundering, fraud, and obtaining money through false pretences. A large sum of undeclared cash was reportedly found on the premises, raising suspicion about its origin.
The monastery’s lawyers have vehemently denied all accusations, calling them “fabricated” and stressing the legitimacy of their financial operations.
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