A 51-year-old monk is expected to appear shortly before Paphos District Court after allegedly attacking and injuring two people with a sharp object inside a monastery in Paphos district when he was asked to leave.
Police are investigating the case as, among other offences, attempted murder.
The incident took place inside the monastery where the suspect lives. The two injured people are another monk and a civilian employee working at the monastery.
According to the information under investigation, the monastery’s abbot, other members of the Church committee and a maintenance worker visited the 51-year-old in his cell.
They asked him to hand over the key to the cell and leave the monastery after those responsible decided that he was not following its rules.
Police believe the 51-year-old became enraged and grabbed a paper cutter from a desk inside the cell before attacking those present.
Investigators believe the abbot, who had the authority to decide on his removal from the monastery, was the intended target.
The 53-year-old monastery employee was ultimately struck with the sharp object and suffered injuries to his neck and hand.
A second monk, aged 27, intervened during the incident and was also injured in the hand.
Police arrested the 51-year-old and are investigating offences including attempted murder, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, wounding, carrying a knife, and illegal possession and carrying of an offensive weapon.
The 53-year-old was taken to Paphos General Hospital, where his wounds were stitched. He was kept in hospital for treatment and his condition is not considered life-threatening.
The 27-year-old monk was also taken to hospital and discharged after receiving first aid.
Paphos CID is continuing its investigation and is expected to request the suspect’s remand on Saturday to allow investigators to complete their inquiries.
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