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Bishop Isaiah and Monk Varnavas Acquitted of Data Breach Charges Related to Avvakoum Monastery CCTV

Published January 22, 2026, 09:20
Bishop Isaiah and Monk Varnavas Acquitted of Data Breach Charges Related to Avvakoum Monastery CCTV

Bishop Isaiah of Tamassos and Oreini and Monk Varnavas were acquitted of charges related to the violation of personal data through the circulation of footage from the CCTV cameras of the Avvakoum Monastery. The case was adjourned to May 12th. Both denied the charges, arguing that the videos they presented to the Holy Synod were already public and used to demonstrate offenses committed within the monastery. The defense requested details of the charges and emphasizes that the Bishop and Monk intended to act in accordance with ecclesiastical law. The case arose following an investigation by former Data Protection Commissioner Irene Loizidou Nikolaidou and the leak of videos from areas within the monastery. Monk Neoktarios, also accused, will be tried on a different date.