Larnaca court acquits former Kiti bishop of rape charges

The Larnaca Criminal Court on Friday acquitted former Bishop of Kition Chrysostomos who had been accused of rape, arguing the plaintiff’s testimony was unreliable.

The court announced that it acquitted the former bishop,83, and absolved him of the rape charge he was facing.

“I feel vindicated. Justice has prevailed,” Chrysostomos told the Cyprus News Agency.

The court added that the prosecution’s case was based on the plaintiff’s testimony which was rejected by the court as it was found to have “many contradictions, lies and erratic allegations in essential, main and key points.”

The offence allegedly took place in April 2011 in his office in Larnaca. The woman alleged that the bishop had offered her an alcoholic beverage before raping her.

The former bishop has another court case pending against him concerning indecent assault of an underage woman that was allegedly committed in November 1981. The plaintiff was 16 at the time.