Lawyer explains why "victims" don't attend trials against UOC hierarchs
"Victims" do not attend the trials against the hierarchs of the UOC. Photo: ukranews.com
In an interview with "Watch on First Cossack," lawyer of Metropoltian Jonathan of Tulchyn and Bratslav, Ihor Chudovsky, stated that, as a practicing lawyer, he often encountered the problem of individuals, forced to become "victims," not showing up in court.
He compared the current situation to the times of Stalinist repression when 5 million people were sent to the GULAG based on written statements.
Today, such statements are needed to become the "basis for inclusion in the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations" and initiate criminal proceedings.
"However, the person (who wrote the statement) later realizes that they were deceived. They were told to write a statement, and then nothing more is required from them. But their procedural status is that of a 'victim,' and according to the law, they must be held accountable for lying under the Criminal Code. This becomes a problem for the 'victim' because they understand that they have to go to court and will have to lie, raising questions about the criminal liability of that person," explained the lawyer.
He emphasized that when the "victim" wrote the statement, they signed that they were warned about providing false testimony, indicating "they acknowledged that if nothing happened (from what was alleged), they are legally responsible, and then they can switch places with the accused."
Chudovsky mentioned that in the case of Metropolitan Jonathan, there were many witnesses, but only two individuals, who are not capable of independent thinking and follow propaganda templates, appeared. They claimed to have attended Jonathan's sermons where he allegedly bought up Kremlin narratives, though th former couldn't provide details about when or where.
Moreover, these "victims" are unaware that Bishop Jonathan is being charged for three leaflets allegedly found in his house and an article on the website of the Tulchyn Diocese. The lawyer stressed that they are talking about things "an old woman mentioned on the street," which is not relevant to the case.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) had put "linguistic expertise" against the UOC on stream.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.