Expert witness says former bishop unable to stand trial for rape

An expert witness testified on Wednesday that former Kition bishop Chrysostomos is suffering from frontotemporal dementia and cannot follow court proceedings in two separate cases of rape and indecent assault of a minor that had been brought against him.

A Greece-based forensics psychiatrist said the 83-year-old cleric was suffering from frontotemporal dementia and could not follow the court proceedings because the executive functions of the brain had been affected.

The executive functions include proficiency in adaptable thinking, planning, self-monitoring, self-control, working memory, time management, and organisation, necessary for someone to be able to hear and remember testimony.

The expert said the bishop’s condition was documented through psychometric tests the defendant has undergone twice, in combination with MRI scans, which showed brain atrophy.

The Larnaca criminal court adjourned until July 7.

Chrysostomos has not yet entered a plea.