Witnesses testify monastery owes them thousands amid fraud trial of monks Nektarios and Porfyrios
Three prosecution witnesses in the Avakoum monastery fraud trial testified that the monastery owed them substantial sums or took money without issuing receipts. Beekeeper Menelaos Philippou claimed the monastery owed him about €2,500 for honey he supplied. Painter Charalambos Kekkos testified the monastery owed him nearly €15,000 for work done at the monastery and related properties.
Disability benefit recipient Costas Petsas said he donated €6,000 to the monastery without receiving a receipt, after being promised an icon as a gift. The two monks on trial, Nektarios and Porfyrios, face serious charges including conspiracy to defraud, forgery, money laundering, and submitting fraudulent tax returns. They deny all charges.
The case arose after authorities found €800,000 in cash and evidence of fake miracles, along with CCTV footage of prohibited acts. The next court hearings are scheduled for October 5 and 7.
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