Accusation of glorifying war: protests after the arrest of the Ukrainian Orthodox leader

allegations of glorification of war
Protests after the arrest of the Ukrainian Orthodox leader

The Ukrainian secret service arrests the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The accusation: Metropolitan Pavlo justified the Russian invasion. In contrast, people in Kiev are taking to the streets. Pavlo himself is to be heard at the beginning of the week.

After a raid on a high-ranking church official in Ukraine, dozens of believers protested in front of the famous Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Those gathered, including clergymen, waved religious symbols and prayed in front of Lavra Pechersk Monastery. The spiritual head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Pavlo, had previously been summoned for questioning on allegations of inciting religious hatred.

Ukraine’s Internal Intelligence Service (SBU) said Pavlo was suspected of “justifying and denying the Russian army’s aggression against Ukraine and glorifying its members.” In addition, he is accused of violating the “equality of citizens”.

“The law and the responsibility for violating it is the same for everyone, and a priest’s robe is no guarantee of pure intentions,” said SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk. He accused Russia of using religion for propaganda and dividing Ukrainian society. The metropolitan was taken to a court in Kiev for a hearing, but the hearing was later adjourned to Monday.

Pavlo condemns Russian attack

Pavlo had previously rejected support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In a video circulated by Ukrainian media, he said: “I have said it, I say it and I will say it: I condemn all attacks on our state, and what Russia and (President Vladimir) Putin have done is unjustifiable. ” He confirmed the search in the monastery.

A small group of pro-Ukrainian activists opposed the protest of the faithful on Saturday. They waved flags in the national colors of blue and yellow.

The metropolitan’s summons came just three days after a deadline for the UNESCO-listed monastery to be vacated. Until recently it was the seat of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, its monks lived for free in part of the monastery. They have announced that they intend to stay as long as possible.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church depended on the Moscow Patriarchate for a long time until it officially seceded in May last year due to the Russian war of aggression. However, the Ukrainian authorities accuse her of continuing to be pro-Russian. The famous monastery and its cathedral have been under the independent Orthodox Church since December.

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