The 51-year-old monk, who is accused, among other things, attempted murder of a 53-year-old employee of the Holy Stavropegian Monastery of Saint Neophytos in Tala, Paphos, on Tuesday, the Paphos District Court ordered that he be remanded in custody until October 7, the date on which he is expected to appear before the Paphos Criminal Court.
In announcing its decision, the Paphos District Court referred to the seriousness of the offense facing the 51-year-old, noting that although he has some ties to the Republic of Cyprus, they are not particularly strong, and therefore there is a risk of him fleeing to evade justice.
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The 51-year-old is also charged with the unlawful possession and transportation of a weapon and carrying a knife.
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His attorney, Alexandros Alexandrou, filed an objection to the 51-year-old’s detention, presenting a series of arguments in support of his client’s release.
As Mr. Alexandrou stated, the likelihood of the 51-year-old being convicted is “virtually nonexistent,” and, according to him, there is no risk of him fleeing justice. He explained that the defendant is a person who is held in high regard by the people of the Paphos district.
The defense attorney added that the 51-year-old is a Cypriot citizen and has resided in Cyprus for the past 25 years. He is a monk at the Monastery of Saint Neophytos, and as his lawyer argued, he has neither a motive nor any reason to leave Cyprus.
READ ALSO: The Holy Monastery of Saint Neophytos Sets the Record Straight: What Led Up to the Attempted Murder
At the same time, he noted that the 51-year-old has “very strong ties” to Cyprus.
For her part, the spokesperson for the Prosecution requested that the 51-year-old be remanded in custody until his appearance before the Paphos Criminal Court due to the seriousness of the offense he faces.
The case is now expected to be heard before the Pafos Criminal Court on October 7, and until then, the 51-year-old will remain in custody.
Source: CNA
