Police open case against Lavra defenders for “hooliganism”

Worshippers and police outside the Lavra building No 39. Photo: a video screenshot of video from the Novyny.LIVE Telegram channel
The Investigative Department of Pechersk Police Directorate in Kyiv started criminal proceedings under Part 3 of Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (hooliganism) in connection with the fact that in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra believers opened building No39 sealed up by employees of the reserve and law enforcement officers, reports the Kyiv Police Communications Department.
According to the report, "after representatives of the Ministry of Culture commission inspected and sealed one of the buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a group of individuals broke the shutters that were closing the door and entered the premises.
The police said that the sanction of the article provides for imprisonment for up to five years.
As reported, the lawyer of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman said that the commission of the reserve, accompanied by police, broke the locks and illegally sealed building 39. People remained inside the sealed building. The police did not respond to the believers' requests to open the door.
Law enforcers have already detained one of the Lavra's most active defenders.
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