A senior cleric has appealed for the installation of surveillance equipment in and around four monasteries in the Peloponnese following the recent murder of two nuns and the theft of a valuable religious icon.

Bishop Alexandros of Mantineia and Kynouria has sent a letter to regional authorities, it was revealed yesterday, asking them to contribute toward the cost of installing cameras at four local monasteries that are currently undergoing renovation.

Justifying his concern, the senior cleric stressed that precious relics were more vulnerable to theft during renovation work as they were more exposed to the public and changing groups of laborers.

He added that cameras would be placed at selected points around the monasteries and monitored around the clock from Tripolis police headquarters.