Monk in Paphos remains in custody for knife assault at Saint Neophytos Monastery
The Permanent Criminal Court of Paphos rejected a bail application for the 51-year-old monk accused of attempted murder. The next hearing was scheduled for 26 October.
Bail application rejected for 51-year-old monk of Saint Neophytos Monastery
The 51-year-old monk accused of attempted murder against a 53-year-old technician at the Holy Stavropegial Monastery of Saint Neophytos in Tala, Paphos, as well as illegal possession and carrying of an offensive weapon and knife-carrying offences, remains in custody. According to Politis, the Permanent Criminal Court of Paphos rejected his bail application.
The defence counsel, lawyer Leandros Theocharous, submitted a conditional release application during today's hearing. The Court rejected it, citing the severity of the offences and the previous decision of the District Court of Paphos. The proceedings were suspended for some time before the ruling was announced, after 14:30. The next hearing was scheduled for 26 October at 09:00.
The District Court of Paphos had already rejected a bail application by the previous defence counsel, lawyer Alexandros Alexandrou, both before the District Court and when the case was referred to the Criminal Court. At that time, the Court had determined that, despite the accused's ties to the Republic of Cyprus, these were not considered sufficiently strong, resulting in a risk of absconding.
What preceded it: the assault on 7 August
The 51-year-old was arrested under a court warrant on 7 August at 13:30, following an incident that occurred earlier that morning at the Monastery.
Around 07:30, the abbot of the Monastery, Chorepiskopos of Chytri Leontios, went to the 51-year-old's cell to collect the key. With him were other monks, a postulant, and the 53-year-old technician, who works with lock installations. His presence was deemed necessary in case a lock change was required.
According to the evidence presented to the Court by the investigating officer, the 51-year-old had occupied two cells for approximately four to five years, since his father's death. The abbot asked the 51-year-old to open the cell, which he did. After inspection, the abbot noted that he would send workers for cleaning, but the 51-year-old stated that he would clear his things himself and closed the door.
The abbot then asked for the key. According to the investigating officer, the 51-year-old refused, resulting in physical contact between the two men as the abbot attempted to take it from his hand. When the 53-year-old technician intervened to separate them, the 51-year-old is alleged to have struck him with a sharp object on the neck and right hand.
Subsequently, a 27-year-old monk immobilised the suspect by holding him from behind. The 51-year-old is alleged to have then wounded the 27-year-old on the right hand with a paper cutter blade he was holding. The 27-year-old released him when he realised the 53-year-old was bleeding from the neck.
Hospitalisation and police intervention
The 53-year-old was transferred to the A&E of the General Hospital of Paphos, where he was found to have a blunt trauma to the left cervical area and right upper limb. The wounds were sutured and he remained hospitalised. Police officers went to the Monastery, conducted examinations, and located the 51-year-old.
The case continues before the Permanent Criminal Court of Paphos, with the next hearing on 26 October 2026 at 09:00.
Source: Politis