The Archbishop's land plot case and the suppressed report
A review of the Archbishop's land purchase case in 2014, based on a report by the Anti-Corruption Authority that revealed significant discrepancies in property valuations.
The Archbishop's land plot case and the suppressed report
In April 2014, a newspaper brought to light the purchase of an Archbishop property by the President's wife. The plot, measuring 1,739 square metres in an upmarket area of Limassol, changed hands for €500,000. Market experts had valued it at roughly double that amount at the time.
The transaction stipulated a €40,000 cash deposit as a down payment and subsequently monthly instalments of €4,000 without interest for 75 months. At the time, the President of the Republic spoke of "petty political exploitation", whilst the Church and the ruling party argued that it was a private agreement.
Years later, a report by the Anti-Corruption Authority revealed additional details. The state had previously acquired properties of the Archbishop in Engomi and in exchange had given public land in Agia Napa. The official value of the eight properties was €5.7 million, however the report showed an actual value close to €10.6 million. The Council of Ministers approved the agreement in October 2013. Just five months later, the President's wife acquired the disputed plot.
Source: Phileleftheros
Source: Philenews