The Security Service of Ukraine announced that it had exposed UOC (MP) clerics in Odesa who praised Rashism and justified the war crimes of the Russian Federation, writes UNN.
Details
"The Security Service detained two more pro-Kremlin agitators in Odesa. The defendants spread enemy propaganda, justified Russia's war in Ukraine, and praised the Rashists," the statement says.
Among those detained is a 58-year-old priest of the Odesa Eparchy of the UOC (MP). During conversations with parishioners, he glorified the occupiers and insulted the religious beliefs of believers of other denominations.
According to the SBU, the defendant maintained ties with former People's Deputy from the "Party of Regions" Ihor Markov, who is already suspected by the SBU of treason and is currently hiding in Russia.
In addition, according to the special service, he contacted collaborator Valeriy Kaurov, who fled to Russia in 2014, where he announced the creation of the Kremlin project "Odesa People's Republic - Novorossiya."
"At Kaurov's request, the cleric, together with his 23-year-old daughter, took photos with blank sheets of paper against the background of famous Odesa locations, and then sent the pictures to Russia. Then Russian propagandists "drew" calls for the occupation of the regional center on the blank sheets, which allegedly came from local residents, - the SBU said. - Subsequently, the Kremlin's mouthpieces "spread" the fabricated fakes on Russian TV and Telegram channels under the guise of publications of the pro-Russian "underground"."
Another detainee in the port city is a 44-year-old archpriest of the UOC (MP), who in his sermons justified Russian shelling of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
The forensic linguistic examinations initiated by the Security Service, as reported, confirmed the facts of information-subversive activities of the defendants in favor of the aggressor country.
Both clerics were notified of suspicion in accordance with the crimes committed under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Parts 2, 3 of Art. 436-2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants); Part 1 of Art. 161 (violation of equality of citizens depending on their religious beliefs).
The perpetrators face up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property.