Vatopedi monk in jail as minister warns 'meddlers'

Page last updated at 07:52 GMT, Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - 12:52 EST

eKathimerini:

All photographs come from the aforementioned news sources, and full copyright ownership is maintained by those sources. This site uses the images purely for reference to the original source and educational purposes, and does not profit in any way from their use.

The monk at the center of the Vatopedi Monastery land swap affair has been remanded in custody as Justice Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou accused those opposing his detention of trying to meddle in Greek justice.

Ephraim, an abbot at the monastery, is accused of money laundering and embezzlement in the exchange of property between Vatopedi and the state that allegedly left the monks better off and Greek taxpayers footing a bill for millions of euros.

He is being held at Korydallos Prison but his lawyers are likely to appeal his detention and ask for him to be released on bail.

Dozens of supporters gathered outside the Appeals Court in Athens on Tuesday night to protest the move to detain Ephraim, who has also received from some bishops. Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), the nationalist party that is the junior of the three partners in the coalition government, has called for Deputy Justice Minister Giorgos Petalotis to resign over Ephraim’s treatment, claiming that he instigated the monk’s arrest.

Read the whole story: eKathimerini