The trial for the case of ‘holy’ swapping of Vatopedi Monastery real estate with the Greek state has been discontinued yesterday, shortly after the entering of the case, and rescheduled for the 23d of March. The trial has been discontinued until another courtroom of equivalent capacity is found, on account of the great amount of defendants and their defense.  

 As it is already known, 13 people on the whole are charged (as one of the defendants, former head of Rural Development MinistrySt. Madeli, has been deceased). All defendants have attended the court, including Aikaterini Peleki, her father and brother, Vatopedi Monastery Abbot Ephraim, monk Arsenios, members of the Legal Council of State and former members of the Hellenic Public Real Estate Company (KED) etc.  

 The Greek state joined the civil action with the opening of court proceedings, and claims, according to its attorneys, the amount of €234 million. According to the civil action, this amount refers to the actual value of a total 76 pieces of real estate which the Greek state gave up in order to get Lake Vistonida, while the value stated in the indictment-based on the prices given by the Inland Revenue Department- is €61 million. Apart from its property damages, the Greek state also claims the amount of €1,8 million ‘in whole’ for the moral detriment caused by the defendants’ actions. According to the Greek state representatives, 28 actions for damages have been filed on this case, with which the Greek state challenges the regime of ownership of the monastery on the lake and also demands the nullity of swapping acts. 

First instance decisions have already been issued on several of the aforementioned actions for damages.