Priest Testifies in Avakoum Monastery Fraud Trial Revealing 'Black' Money and Confessions
A priest testified on Wednesday in the Nicosia criminal court regarding the ongoing Avakoum monastery fraud trial, providing detailed accounts of suspicious financial activities and procedures within the Tamasos metropolis. Father Dionysios Koptides revealed that two safes at the monastery contained large sums of secret, or "black," money—approximately €700,000 and over €90,000. He also described the questioning and confessions of monks Nektarios and Porfyrios, who are on trial facing multiple charges including fraud, forgery, theft, and money laundering.
Dionysios reported that Nektarios admitted guilt during questioning and requested a transfer to a monastery abroad to avoid deposition, a request refused by the bishop. Both monks voluntarily signed written confessions and Porfyrios was suspended from specific duties at the monastery. The priest emphasized that other clergy at the monastery had not been charged. The next hearing is scheduled for October 14 at 9:30 a.m.
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