Friday, December 30, 2011

Abbot of Greek Monastery Imprisoned in Athens; Ephrem Accused of Multi-Million Euro Land Fraud

The China Daily website reports today (December 30, 2011) that the abbot of a Christian Orthodox monastery at the centuries-old monastic community on Mount Athos in northern Greece was imprisoned on December 28 in Athens, pending trial.

The transfer of Cypriot-born abbot Ephrem to the maximum-security Korydallos prison in Athens triggered reactions by conservative circles in Greece and as far away as Russia. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has called on the Greek government to release Abbot Ephrem from prison, and allow him to be free while he is waiting for his trial to begin.

Abbot Ephrem is accused of fraud and embezzlement in a case of controversial swaps of land owned by Vatopedi monastery and the Greek state. Greek authorities claim the state suffered multi-million euro damages from the agreement made with former officials.

The abbot has denied any wrongdoing, but Greek authorities argue they have gathered strong evidence against him and ordered his detention.

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