The priest allegedly attacked the bishops after they told him that he had been removed from the clergy due to alleged misconductA defrocked Greek Orthodox priest was charged Thursday with multiple counts of causing grievous bodily harm over an acid attack that injured seven senior bishops and three other people.
The 37-year-old Greek man was led to court in lay clothing, handcuffs, and under a heavily armed police escort.
He was arrested by a police guard late Wednesday after he allegedly threw acid at the bishops following their announcement, at a disciplinary hearing, that he had been formally removed from the clergy for alleged misconduct.The victims of the attack were hospitalized with burns, two in more serious condition. The arresting police officer was also hospitalized with burns. Most were released Thursday.
Photographs of the scene of the attack in central Athens, shown on state ERT TV, showed bloodstains and acid burns on the walls of the room where the hearing was held and on small desks where the bishops had been seated.
Discarded black robes thrown off by the bishops and attending clergy also had bloodstains
