Reserve to pay over UAH 4mln from state budget for 'protection' of Lavra

Policemen in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: lavra.ua

According to the contract with the Department of Police Protection in Kyiv, the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" is to pay more than UAH 4.3 million for "protection" services in the Lavra territory, reports the lawyer of the monastery, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, on its Telegram channel.

"We all pay taxes with the hope that these funds will be used for the welfare of our state – the support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, quality education and medicine, social security for citizens in need," writes Father Nikita. “At the same time, the Reserve (we emphasize: it is a state institution, which activity is financed from the budget funds) spends tax money allegedly for the "protection" of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra territory.

According to the lawyer, "there are questions not only about the legality of such contract but also the economic feasibility: in conditions of war and colossal expenses more than four million of the budgetary funds will be spent on the activities of the company, which prevents the clergy and parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to use the religious buildings and conduct services.

The lawyer drew attention to the fact that, according to the Prozorro website, the Reserve signed a contract with the police without holding an open tender. The organisation explained that "security services can be provided exclusively by the Department of Police Protection in Kyiv due to an objective lack of competition for technical reasons".

"Doesn't this indicate a corruptive component to the issue?" the lawyer asked.

As reported, the Lavra's press service earlier said that the Reserve's agreement with the police on the protection of the Lavra is seen as additional pressure on the brethren.

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