Court to issue verdict on cleric’s rape charge next month

The Larnaca criminal court will deliver its verdict on the rape charge against former Kition bishop Chrysostomos on October 22, it was announced on Wednesday.

The offence allegedly took place in April 2011 in his office in Larnaca.

On Wednesday, the two sides submitted their final arguments in writing. The proceedings were held behind closed doors.

The 83-year-old cleric’s defence had argued at first that he did not have the mental capacity to follow the proceedings.

After hearing experts called by the two sides, the court decided Chrysostomos was fit to stand trial.

He denied the rape charge in a formal written statement submitted to the court and three more witnesses testified on his behalf, the bishopric’s accountant and two other employees.

The rape claim was submitted to the police after a public sexual abuse report in Greece spurred a nationwide MeToo movement which encouraged many people to report similar incidents.