MP: UOC will appeal to international courts and win them
Member of the Ukrainian Parliament Artem Dmytruk. Photo: screenshot from a video on Artem Dmytruk's Facebook page
In an interview with the UOJ, Ukrainian MP Artem Dmytruk stated that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church would file claims in Ukrainian and international courts to protect its sanctuaries and millions of the Church's faithful.
The politician noted that regional officials are violating all legal and judicial norms when they "take over" UOC churches, terminate agreements with the Church, and ban its activities.
Dmytruk believes that the UOC will be compelled to turn to Ukrainian and international courts to overturn all these decisions. According to the MP, the UOC will undoubtedly win cases in international courts, which "will have a very negative impact on the image of the Ukrainian state."
Responding to a question about whether one can trust the fairness of Ukrainian courts in matters related to the UOC, the politician said: "Not now. But in the future – yes."
"Everyone understands perfectly well that in the future, when time has passed, when the war is over, when there is order in the country, when we have won, the UOC will file lawsuits not only with Ukrainian but also with international courts. And this will be a very negative precedent for the Ukrainian state itself, because the UOC will win these cases," said the MP.
As reported by the UOJ, a UOC lawyer has stated that attempts by city councils to deprive the UOC of the right to use land plots for churches are unlawful and do not carry any legal consequences.
Read also
In Chernivtsi, another seizure of UOC cathedral prepared
Believers of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy have been called to intensified prayer due to the threat of a new forceful provocation.
Rivne Eparchy venerates "Life-Giver" Icon of Most Holy Theotokos
On the day of veneration of the "Life-Giving" icon, the UOC hierarchs celebrated the Liturgy and held a procession at the Mezhyrich Monastery.
In Romania, memorial cross placed on site of church demolished under communism
In Bucharest, a monument was blessed on the site of the Spirea Veche Church, which was destroyed in 1984 for the construction of the "House of the People".
Pope calls European military spending as betrayal of diplomacy
The pontiff called on students not to confine themselves within national borders and ideologies.
Rada creates “Seeking the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness” association
The inter-factional parliamentary association in the Verkhovna Rada will be headed by MP Heorhiy Mazurashu.
Trial of Metropolitan Arseniy in Dnipro postponed until June
The hearing at the Chechelivka District Court was postponed due to the defense’s complaint over the replacement of the prosecutorial team and motions filed by three of the four lawyers.