SSU exposes rector of UOC-MP church in Khmelnytskyi region who praised Putin to parishioners. PHOTO
The Security Service documented subversive activities by the rector of the church of the Shepetivka Diocese of the UOC (MP) in the Khmelnytskyi region. The cleric supported the aggressive war against Ukraine and incited religious hatred.
This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine, Censor.NET reports.
As noted, after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, he held liturgies during which he praised Putin and blamed the Ukrainian authorities 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 favour of the aggressor country.
An SSU-initiated examination confirmed the facts of the cleric's criminal actions.
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 investigation is ongoing. The offender faces up to 5 years in prison.
