Two monks embroiled in a financial and sexual misconduct scandal at the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk have been given the go-ahead by the Data Protection Commissioner to release video footage and text messages.
Lawyers acting for the monks, who face accusations from Bishop Issaias of Tamassos, sought permission from Commissioner Irene Loizidou Nikolaidou to use evidence in their defence.
This evidence includes CCTV footage from the monastery and SMS messages allegedly sent by the Bishop himself.
The video reportedly shows masked figures entering the monastery grounds, acting on the Bishop’s orders according to the monks’ claims. They allege they were then abducted and held against their will at the Bishopric, while also being subjected to threats.
The SMS messages, purportedly sent from the Bishop’s phone to Archimandrite Nektarios, are said to contain further threats.
Both the video and SMS messages are expected to be presented to the police and submitted as evidence when the monks appear before the six-member Synodical Court.
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