In the Czech Republic, the Senate called for an investigation into Russia's influence on the country's Orthodox churches
Kyiv • UNN
A Czech Senate committee has called for the security services to investigate Russia's use of Orthodox churches for influence operations. The Committee admits that the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia could have come under the influence of persons associated with the Russian Federation.
The Czech Senate Security Committee has called on the authorities to instruct the intelligence services to investigate how Russia can use Orthodox churches in the country for influence operations. This is reported by ČTK, UNN.
Details
Pavel Fischer, chairman of the Czech Senate's relevant committee, noted that the Russian Orthodox Church in the Czech Republic is an offshoot of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, headed by Patriarch Kirill, against whom the Czech government imposed sanctions for justifying Russian aggression.
According to the committee, the government should instruct Czech Interior Minister Vitus Rakusan to investigate possible criminal activity by members of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands.
Freedom of religion and association should not be used for unlawful influence by a hostile foreign state
Addendum
It is also noted that the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, independent of the Russian Orthodox Church and the second largest in terms of the number of believers, operates in the Czech Republic.
However, the Czech Senate Committee admits that she was influenced by "persons associated with Russian security forces.
The circumstances under which the meeting of this church took place on June 27 this year in the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius on Resslová Street in Prague may raise concerns about its legitimacy in connection with the election of its leaders and the disposal of its property
Recall
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted bill No. 8371 on the prohibition of activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Federation. The law will come into force in 30 days, but UOC-MP communities will have 9 months to break ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.
