A HEAVENLY INTERVENTION!
A LOCAL DISPUTE SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL IN THE VILLAGE OF PLATANISTASA
The normally quiet mountain village of Platanistasa, within the Nicosia district, recently found itself at the centre of a local feud between a priest and a community leader. Their disagreements have since spiralled out of control, leading to further disputes, arrests and court proceedings.
A SERIES OF EXCESSIVE NOISE COMPLAINTS
The dispute, which soon spiralled out of control, then led to several noise complaints that were lodged against the local priest for ringing his church bell excessively for extended periods of time. They all claimed that excessive bell ringing had caused a significant nuisance to them and that they believed that this was done to irritate the village’s community leader following a dispute. The priest is also alleged to have used loudspeakers to amplify the sound without the necessary permit.
TRADITIONALLY PART OF DAILY LIFE IN CYPRUS
While church bells are traditionally part of daily life in Cypriot villages, several residents complained that the noise in this case far exceeded normal practice. Evidence of recordings for several of the excessive bell ringing at a volume for extended periods of time incidents were presented to the police. They then placed the priest under arrest following a lengthy investigation.
A COURT APPEARANCE
The village priest has since appeared before a Nicosia court facing a total of 20 related charges. These include complaints against him for noise pollution, public nuisance, and using a loudspeaker without a permit. Several other complaints include holding services at erratic times and not managing proper access to his church.
ONGOING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Prosecutors claim that Father Georgios misused his clerical privileges. They also claim that he allegedly used the church bell of the Archangel Michael Church, not for worship but for personal retaliation. Father Georgios, in response, has refused to enter a plea. Two of the police officers, who handled the original complaint, along with some residents, are expected to appear as witnesses for the prosecution. Father Georgios remains in place at his church while legal proceedings are ongoing.
