The Security Service of Ukraine informed that it had served a notice of suspicion to a cleric of the UOC (MP) who, together with Gaulaiter Volodymyr Saldo, called for the "accession" of Kherson region to Russia, UNN reports.
Details
"The Security Service has gathered evidence against collaborator Hennadiy Shkil, the rector of the UOC (MP) church in the temporarily occupied city of Hola Prystan on the left bank of the Kherson region," the SBU reported on Telegram.
According to the special service, "from the first days of the full-scale war, the archpriest publicly supported the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and the seizure of part of the territory of Ukraine." "For example, in July 2022, Shkil, together with Gauliayter Saldo, took part in a pro-Kremlin "forum" held at the Kherson State University, which was seized at the time. During the event, the cleric made a speech calling for the region's "accession" to Russia," the SBU said.
"Then the collaborator gave an interview to Russian propagandists from the occupation Tavria TV channel, in which he spoke favorably about the organization of the pseudo-referendum of the Russian Federation in Kherson region," the special service noted.
An examination initiated by the Security Service reportedly confirmed the cleric's information and subversive activities.
Gennadiy Shkil was notified of suspicion in absentia under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 1, Part 3 of Article 436-2 (justification, recognition of the legitimacy, ensuring the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants); Part 6 of Article 111-1 (collaboration).
"As the offender is hiding in the left bank of Kherson region, comprehensive measures are being taken to bring the collaborator to justice for crimes against Ukraine," the SBU said.
Addendum
The SBU reported that in May of this year, Gennadiy Shkil's son, Nazar Shkil, received a suspicion from the Security Service.