SBU delivers results of searches in UOC eparchies and monasteries

The SBU commented on the searches in the religious organizations of the UOC. Photo: press service of the department

The Security Service of Ukraine spoke about the results of “counterintelligence (safe) measures” that took place on November 22 in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Koretsky Monastery and in the premises of the Sarny-Polissia diocese. The official comment was posted on the structure's Telegram channel.

The report says that on November 22, together with employees of the National Police and the National Guard, security forces “thoroughly checked” more than 350 church buildings and 850 people.

More than 50 people were subjected to in-depth counterintelligence interviews, including with the use of a polygraph. Among them were not only citizens of Ukraine, but also foreigners, including citizens of Russia.

“When checking documents, some of them provided passports and military cards of the USSR, did not have original documents at all, but only their copies, or had passports of Ukrainian citizens with signs of forgery or damage,” the SBU said.

Also, according to employees of the Security Service, a 32-year-old citizen of Ukraine was identified on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, who may be involved in the illegal activities of the Antvan pro-Russian news agency.

“At the same time, he is a trustee of the owner of the Russian company of the same name ‘ANTVAN GROUP’ – a Russian citizen A. Orlov, who owned a number of land plots and catering establishments in Ukraine. Currently, this property has been arrested as part of criminal proceedings,” the department assured.

Also, according to the press service of the SBU, during searches in the monasteries of the UOC, they found pro-Russian literature used in teaching at the seminary and parish schools, and cash – hryvnias, US dollars and even several thousand Russian rubles.

The department emphasized that the searches were carried out within the framework of the current legislation and recalled that in its activities, the SBU observes the principle of impartiality to the activities of any religious denomination and respects the right of every citizen to freedom of opinion and religion, as defined by the Constitution of Ukraine.

Recall that on November 22, the SBU conducted a series of searches in the monasteries and eparchies of the UOC.

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