Scandal embroiled monks now face charges of labour exploitation

Police are investigating two more complaints against the two archimandrites embroiled in the infamous Osiou Avakoum monastery scandal, police spokesman Christos Andreou said on Tuesday.

He said authorities are investigating labour exploitation by two monks against the two archimandrites and has been under investigation for the last three months.

The case is one of 12 that are before the police for the scandal at the monastery.

Investigation of ten has been completed.

Of these, nine are before the legal service and one, concerning conspiracy to commit fraud, has already been brought before the criminal court.

The two archimandrites Nektarios and Porphyrios face serious charges of, among other things, conspiracy to defraud after withholding money for their own benefit instead of depositing it in the monastery’s accounts. They are also accused of stealing various amounts, both together and solely by Nektarios.

Also, Nektarios is also facing charges of money laundering and is also accused of knowingly obtaining €806,660 from illegal activities. The relevant complaint had been submitted to the police by Bishop Tamassos of Isaias, who handed over a safe received from the monastery in which the money was found.

Police investigations are supervised by two criminal investigators.

As for the other investigations, police have an open case regarding a video showing a monk hitting a female employee with a belt. According to a report in philenews, police are requesting the monk be prosecuted, however the woman has not made a statement.

Police are also investigating GDPR violations, in a case brought to authorities by the data protection commissioner on the use of the CCTV at the monastery.

Officers are also looking into the complaint by a former employee of the monastery of sexual harassment by a monk. The investigation did not reach any firm conclusions, so it is left to the legal service to provide guidance.

There are also two other complaints that also involved sexual harassment on which the legal service will also be asked to rule.

Also, police are investigating four complaints by monks against either Isaias or people of the diocese. The monks complained they were threatened, intimidated or attacked during events on March 5, 2024 within the monastery. For one case, the offence of assault appears to be established.

Police are also investigating an allegation by Nektarios that he gave cash of €450,000 to Isaias on various dates.

Investigations are expected to end in mid-September.