Saint Catherine's Monastery faces property risk amid Egyptian legal developments

Egyptian prosecutors have submitted recommendations to the Supreme Cassation Court regarding the ongoing property dispute involving Saint Catherine's Monastery. According to reports, the prosecution suggests the monastery's appeal against a previous ruling by the Ismailia Court of Appeal should be rejected in its entirety, specifically dismissing claims of ownership through prescription.

Simultaneously, the prosecution has recommended partially accepting the Egyptian government's own appeal. If the court adopts these recommendations, the monastery faces the potential loss of an additional 10 properties.

These legal developments occur as Athens, Cairo, and the monastery have been engaged in months of negotiations to reach a political and legal settlement. Church circles express concern that these prosecutorial recommendations could undermine these ongoing talks, emphasizing the need to finalize an agreement before a definitive judicial ruling is issued on October 24.