Court closes the case against the secretary of UOC Rivne Diocese
Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi. Photo: Rivne Diocese
On December 26, 2023, the Rivne Regional Appellate Court closed the criminal proceedings against Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi, the secretary of the Rivne Diocese of the UOC, as reported by diocesan press service. The priest of the UOC was exempted from criminal liability because eight years had passed since the alleged actions.
"It is not the right of the court to exempt from criminal liability due to the expiration of the term but an obligation of the court. The imperative norm is a requirement that is not discussed," commented human rights activist Raisa Dmitrenko.
The prosecution disagrees with the closure of the case, and the victim, Mr. Bobrovsky, claimed in court that he did not receive summonses, and the case was closed without his participation.
"I asked the victim if he was familiar with me? Mr. Bobrovsky replied, 'No.' Then I asked, 'How could I have harmed you?'" recounted Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi.
According to the materials of the indictment, in June-November 2015, Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi distributed brochures that "humiliated the religious feelings of believers of the UOC-KP and the UAOC and contributed to the incitement of feelings of alienation and mistrust between the believers of the UOC and supporters of the UOC-KP and UAOC."
Moreover, the investigation believes that Father Viktor allegedly "offended the beliefs of UOC-KP believers" during the filming of the movies "Persecution" and "Ukraine. Operation 'Mazepa.'"
As reported by the UOJ, in October, the court closed the case against Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi, but the regional prosecutor's office filed an appeal against this decision.
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".