Lawyer: Sealing the Lavra buildings is illegal
Acting Director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve Maxym Ostapenko. Photo: spzh.news
All actions of the Ministry of Culture to evict monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and seal the premises of the monastery contain signs of a criminal offense and are illegal. The lawyer of the Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, wrote about this in his Telegram channel.
According to him, the monastery has never prevented or restricted the access of representatives of the Reserve in exercising control over the use of property. At the same time, the lawyer called the intentions of the Ministry of Culture to seal the buildings of the Lavra illegal.
He noted that the courts are considering cases on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which is why the Reserve does not have the legal authority to seal the premises of the Lavra or restrict access to them.
“Thus, now any statements by the representatives of the Reserve that they have legal grounds to seal the buildings are at least unfounded,” wrote Fr. Nikita.
The lawyer also urged the police officers not to contribute to the illegal actions of the Reserve and not to become accomplices in the crime.
“Under the circumstances set forth, the eviction of the monks, the groundless sealing and restriction of access to the premises contain signs of a criminal offense – arbitrariness,” he added.
As the UOJ reported, the commission of the Ministry of Culture left the Lavra failing to seal any of the monastery's buildings.
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".