The rector of the church of the Shepetivka Diocese of the UOC-MP was detained in Khmelnytsky region, who praised Putin and blamed the Ukrainian authorities for the war during his liturgies. UNN reports this with reference to the SBU.
The Security Service documented subversive activities by the rector of the church of the Shepetivka Diocese of the UOC (MP) in Khmelnytsky region. Cleric supported aggressive war against Ukraine and incited religious hatred
After Russia's full-scale invasion began, he held liturgies during which he praised Putin and blamed the Ukrainian government for the war.
In addition, the archpriest spread Russian fakes about the war in Ukraine and interfaith relations in our country on his Vkontakte page.
For example, the defendant called the armed aggression of the Russian Federation a "civil conflict" and insulted parishioners of other religious communities.
"In this way, he tried to undermine the socio-political situation in the region in favor of the aggressor country," the SBU said.
Based on the collected evidence, he was served a notice of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- ч. 1, Art. 161 (violation of equality of citizens based on their race, nationality, region, religious beliefs and other grounds);
- ч. 1, Art. 436-2 (justification, recognition of the legitimacy, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).
The cleric faces up to 5 years in prison.