Police investigations into the scandal at the Saint Habakkuk Monastery are in full swing on two fronts, Phileleftheros reports.
Authorities are probing a complaint submitted by Isaias, the Bishop of Tamassos and Orini, regarding alleged financial crimes in the monastery, and a second complaint against Isaias.
Police spokesman Christos Andreou stated that both aspects of the case are being investigated by separate teams.
Complaint by Isaias
Bishop Isaias’ complaint pertains solely to financial matters and is being handled by the Economic Crime Investigation Office.
According to sources, the probe focuses on how €800,000 was collected at the Monastery and then transferred to the Bishopric. It also examines whether the funds were contributions from the faithful.
Complaint against Isaias
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the complaint submitted by the monks against Isaias, Andreou clarified.
On Monday afternoon, two monks came forward to the CID offices to give statements, with one expressing fears for his life.
They submitted a video with the CID, allegedly showing several individuals wearing hoods, entering Saint Habakkuk Monastery on March 5. The monks claimed that these individuals were police officers, something that authorities have already denied.
They also said that they were abducted and that Isaias threatened them through text messages and ordered attacks against them.
Some donations could have been illegal
Yesterday, Anastasia Michaelidou Kamenou of the Ministry of Interior, told Sigma TV that a six-month fundraising permit was granted for construction work at the Saint Habakkuk Monastery.
Since then, no other permit has been secured, so any donations to the monastery after October 31, 2021, would have been illegal.
She noted that within the churches and their precincts, contributions do not require a permit. However, online fundraisers or collections of money outside the church premises need licensing.
Kamenou explained that a person can submit an individual donation to the Church whenever they wish, however, if there is a public call for donations, it is considered a fundraiser, and requires a permit.
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