12 people charged for breaking decree and going to church in southern Cyprus

At least 12 people and two priests were charged by Greek Cypriot police on Sunday for going to church breaking a decree issued this week that banned worshipers from attending services in southern Cyprus.

Police said they went to churches in Astromeritis, Akaki and Skouriotisa after receiving information.

In Astromeritis they found six people in the Ayios Afxivios church and once the service concluded police charged them in addition to the priest.

In Akaki three people were charged when they were found attending a service in the Panayia Chryseleousa church in addition to the priest.

In Skouriotissa three people were charged for attending the service.

All three churches are under the Morphou (Gulzeyurt) diocese.

The latest decrees means that church services must be held without a congregation while weddings, funerals and baptisms can have a maximum of ten people.

Cyprus Mail