Two monks from the Saint Habakkuk Monastery in Fterikoudi have been called by police to provide statements regarding their allegations implicating the Bishop of Tamassos and Orini, Isaias, in a scandal that has rocked the Church of Cyprus.
The monks are set to submit to the investigators a video and several SMS messages they acquired, which relate to recent incidents at the Monastery.
According to philenews, the video footage reveals numerous individuals on March 5 entering the church premises and moving around, with some wearing hoods. The claims suggest these figures are police officers, an assertion that has been categorically denied by the Police.
The SMS messages purportedly sent by Bishop Isaias to Archimandrite Nektarios are believed to contain threats.
Before their deposition, the monks sought legal advice from their attorneys who penned a letter to the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection requesting authorisation to use the personal data visible in the video or the messages.
This authorisation was necessary for the monks to be able to submit the evidence to the investigative team, which is probing the complaints lodged against Bishop Isaias.
Sources said that one of the monks provided a detailed account of the events that transpired on March 5 and 6 at the Monastery and the Bishopric of Tamassos, voicing concerns for his safety.
It is anticipated that two more monks will be summoned to provide their testimonies in the next 24 hours.
This investigation by the Police’s Headquarters is not connected to the allegations made by the Bishop against the monks concerning a financial scandal.
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