SBU refers Metropolitan Pavel case to court

Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: ctrana.news

On 20 October 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor-General's Office handed over to the court an indictment against Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, who is suspected of "inciting inter-religious hatred" and "justifying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine", reports the press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

According to the investigation, the Lavra abbot allegedly "represented the Russian aggression as an internal civil conflict", and in telephone conversations with believers "incited national and religious discord".

The Office of the Prosecutor General also noted that the accusations against Metropolitan Pavel are confirmed by the conclusions of the relevant expertise.

In addition, the investigation found that the hierarch made statements that allegedly "justified the actions of the Russian Federation" and "offended the religious feelings of Ukrainians".

The sanctions of the articles provide for up to 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

As reported, Patriarch Bartholomew approved criminal cases against hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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