PAPHOS Bishop Chrysostomos yesterday denied his brother’s arrest was part of a conspiracy to besmirch him, saying that if his sibling had broken the law he should be punished just like any other citizen.
Antonis Demetriou, the bishop’s brother, was placed under arrest on Sunday after police found several ancient artifacts at his house in Emba, Paphos. Demetriou has denied charges of pilfering; he claims that his sons — antiquities enthusiasts — found the items on a plot of land and pieced them together.
Paphos police searched the premises on Saturday night; Demetriou turned himself in on Sunday on his return from Nicosia, where he was on business over the weekend. Speaking to journalists outside a Paphos police station, he refuted allegations that he was a wanted man, saying he had been in touch with authorities by phone.
But it later emerged that police had searched Demetriou’s house on a drugs tip. No narcotics were found, and the Drug Squad agents were left inspecting the artifacts.
An Antiquities Department expert brought in said the relics were of no significant value and dated back to the 6th century BC. They were mostly clay amphorae and wine cups.
However, under Cyprus law, anyone finding ancient artifacts is required to register them with the Antiquities Department. Depending on the find, a person may keep the antiquities at home, provided they secure a permit.
The Paphos bishop — also the acting Church leader — yesterday came to his brother’s defence, categorically denying his brother was a drug pusher or user. “He’s never smoked a single cigarette in his entire life,” said Chrysostomos.
“But I think he should be punished for keeping those artifacts at home without permission… he broke the law, it’s that simple,” he added.
Demetriou told journalists his arrest was linked to an orchestrated attack by Chrysostomos’ enemies keen on exacting revenge on the Paphos bishop; Chrysostomos has initiated a financial crackdown that has led to the arrest of several people so far.
Police are investigating claims that the Archbishopric was swindled out of millions of pounds by people taking advantage of poor audit controls and the Primate’s illness. An ongoing investigation has found dozens of cases of suspect transactions.
But the Paphos bishop dismissed the theory that this case was somehow connected to his brother’s arrest, describing Demetriou’s comments as “unfortunate”.
