Police are expected to seize €807,000 discovered in a safe at the Saint Habakkuk monastery as part of a money laundering investigation.
The substantial sum was raised during a meeting at the Law Office on Wednesday with investigators and police officers.
Philenews reported that due to the seriousness of potential offences related to the large amount of cash, it will be seized by authorities.
The Police’s Financial Intelligence Unit (MOKAS) is expected to request a court order to freeze the funds next week.
This aims to prevent the money from being transferred or hidden. If a conviction is reached in the ongoing investigation, authorities may seek forfeiture of the money. Otherwise, the Saint Habakkuk monastery could request its return.
Separate investigations into monastery finances
The discovery of the large sum has triggered a separate investigation into the monastery’s finances, independent of other ongoing inquiries based on testimonies and complaints.
The team tasked with examining these financial matters, particularly the source and purpose of the €807,000, has reportedly gathered substantial evidence and is expected to take action in the coming days.
Investigators are expanding their probe to encompass various aspects of the monastery’s operations, including:
- The legitimacy of “miracles” advertised on social media videos.
- Fundraising practices.
- Other potential financial irregularities.
Philenews reports that investigators will not wait to finalise all aspects of the investigation before seeking legal advice. Instead, they will present completed cases to the Legal Service on a rolling basis for review.
Developments expected next week
The coming week is expected to bring significant developments in the investigation.
Two completed cases involving an assault on a woman by a monk and a sexual harassment complaint by a former employee are reportedly being prepared for submission to the Attorney General’s Office for further instructions.
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