Police arrest suspects in the murder of a church watchman

The Church of the Great Martyr Panteleimon in Melitopol, near which the church watchman was killed

The latter were previously convicted local residents of 1988 and 1982, reports the communication department of the national police of the Zaporozhye region.

The personnel of the Melitopol police department and the specialists of the regional department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were involved in the investigation of the crime.

Both malefactors were detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine. They have already been informed of suspicion on the grounds of part 4 of Art. 187 (robbery) and part 2 of Art. 121 (willful bodily harm) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The strictest sanction of articles provides up to fifteen years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. Evidence has been withdrawn. The pre-trial investigation is continuing.

The murder and robbery of the UOC temple in Melitopol occurred on the night of June 19. Two unknown persons severely beat a 66-year-old watchman of the Church of the Great Martyr Panteleimon. The criminals inflicted numerous blows on the church guard, seized property, and before disappearing, they drank in the refectory. From the territory of the temple they stole about 500 UAH, two bicycles and a tablet. The beaten watchman died in the hospital from the injuries.

On June 20, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporozhye and Melitopol appealed to law enforcers, urging them to focus on multiple cases of lawlessness against the UOC.

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