Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra abbot released from custody on bail

Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed) and Archpriest Nikita Chekman in court. Photo: focus.ua

On August 7, 2023, Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, was released from a pre-trial detention center on bail. Archpriest Nikita Chekman, Vladyka's lawyer, announced this on his Telegram channel. The bail amount, which seemed initially unattainable at 33.3 million UAH, was collected by about a thousand believers.

The lawyer reminded that on July 14, the Solomensky District Court of Kyiv changed the preventive measure for Metropolitan Pavel from house arrest to detention with the possibility of bail. The Prosecutor's Office filed an appeal against the court's decision, expressing disagreement with the bail amount and demanding to increase it to 60 million UAH.

"On the website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the details were published, and everyone could contribute and pay bail for Metropolitan Pavel, expediting his release from detention," noted Father Nikita. "Today's event is a collective achievement of the parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, proving that nothing is impossible."

As reported by the UOJ, the prosecutor's office filed an appeal against the decision of the Solomensky court due to disagreement with the amount of bail for Metropolitan Pavel.

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