SBU detains UOC (MP) priest: praised terrorists Zakharchenko, Givi and Motorola

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU ) has exposed criminal actions of the rector of a church in the Vinnytsya diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP), who denied the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and justified the temporary occupation of a part of Ukraine. This is reported by the SBU.

In his Telegram channel, he repeated the Kremlin's narratives about the "civil war" in Ukraine and praised the ex-heads of the DNR terrorist organisation Oleksandr Zakharchenko, "Givi" and "Motorola". The priest also distributed "author's" comments in which he tried to discredit the Ukrainian military and insulted the religious feelings of representatives of different confessions," the SBU said.

To prepare destructive content, he used publications of propaganda Internet resources of the Russian Federation, including the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church. In addition, he spread anti-Ukrainian agitation during sermons and dialogue with church parishioners.

During searches at his place of residence, mobile phones and computers with evidence of subversive activities in favour of the Russian Federation were found. Experts confirmed the facts of his criminal activity against Ukraine.

SBU investigators informed the priest of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Ч. 2, Art. 436-2 (justification, recognition of lawfulness, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);
• Ч. 2 Art. 109 (actions aimed at violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power).

The defendant was hiding from justice on the territory of several regions of Ukraine, but as a result of operational actions of the SBU established his whereabouts and detained him.

Now he has been chosen a measure of restraint - detention in custody. The investigation is continuing to establish all the circumstances of the offences.