A Greek Orthodox priest behind an acid attack which injured 11 people in Athens has been charged and admitted to the state psychiatric hospital.
The hieromon, aged 37, was charged with multiple counts of causing grievous bodily harm and is awaiting psychiatric evaluation after he assaulted seven senior bishops and three others, including two lawyers and a police officer.
“My first thought was that it was holy water,” one of the bishops said, before realising it was caustic liquid, Greek media reports.
He was led to court to face his charges but was in no position to testify before a prosecutor while he awaits his psychiatric evaluation from the Dromokaitio psychiatric hospital, authorities concluded.
Seven of the 11 victims remain hospitalised, including three bishops who are in ‘serious condition’.
One of the three bishops is reportedly undergoing plastic surgery for burns on his face and hands.
The priest acted in a fit of rage after his appeal against his expulsion in 2019 was turned down by a religious court at Petraki Monastery.
The priest was expelled for allegedly carrying cocaine under his garb.
The priest has a criminal history of violent behaviour, harassment, and possessing 1.8 grams of cocaine, Greek media reports.
The incident has put the Greek Orthodox Church on the defensive over how such an incident could occur in the Holy Synod and has prompted responses from the Greek government.
“In future there should be a policeman, someone who guards the entrance to the Holy Synod,” said the bishop of Glyfada, Antonios, who was among the injured.
“The attack with vitriol … is a disgusting act. I wish them a speedy recovery and a good return to their duties,” Niki Kerameus, Greece’s minister of education and religious affairs, tweeted in Greek.
Source: Ekathimerini
