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
Dumenko "blesses" SBU facility for forensic examination
The head of the OCU noted the "special role" of the Institute of Special Technology and Forensic Expertise of the SBU.
ROC head: Attempts to impose special powers of Pat. Bartholomew are sinful
Patriarch Kirill stated that the doctrine of special powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople is being imposed from outside.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces LGBT festival near Sodom and Gomorrah
Israeli authorities are promoting a large-scale gay event at the Dead Sea on social media, which has caused criticism and bewilderment among Christians.
In Bila Tserkva, man nearly killed for greeting "Christ is risen!"
Two non-Orthodox individuals aged 19 and 23 tracked down a 35-year-old Orthodox Christian after an Easter greeting, knocked him down and inflicted several knife wounds to his abdomen and neck.
In Uganda, Islamists kill Protestant pastor after sermon
In Uganda, a Protestant church pastor who preached among Muslims was stabbed to death after a sermon.
Spanish court rules Jehovah’s Witnesses may be called a “destructive sect”
A court in Spain has upheld the right of critics of Jehovah’s Witnesses to speak openly about the group’s alleged harmfulness and danger to society.