Court refuses to hear Lavra monk case on 'bell-ringing over Russia' song
Hieromonk Zachariah. Photo: pravda.com.ua
The Kyiv Pecherskyy court refused to consider the case of Hieromonk of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Fr. Zakharia, whom the SBU suspects of "justifying Russia's aggression against Ukraine". This is evidenced by the court ruling of 7 April 2023.
In the ruling, the judge noted that the indictment "substantially fails to meet" the requirements of the Ukrainian code of criminal procedure:
"The circumstances enumerated by the court unequivocally indicate the absence of a full (specific) procedural statement in the indictment and, consequently, its assignment for trial would be contrary to the provisions of Article 6 (3) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms".
After examining the indictment, the court was also unable to assess exactly in what way Hieromonk Zakharia "committed a crime".
The judge also stressed that it was not clear to him what the church premises were at the time of the song: a means or an instrument.
As reported, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra spoke about the situation with a song about Russia.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".