MP: Modified bill on the UOC contains amendments from SBU

MP Mykyta Poturaev. Photo: glavcom.ua

The modified bill banning the UOC contains amendments from the Security Service of Ukraine, providing for the liquidation of a denomination if its leader has been convicted of crimes against the fundamentals of Ukraine's national security, said Mykyta Poturaev, the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian Policy, in an interview with Ukrinform.

In particular, a denomination may be liquidated if its leader has been convicted under articles on "collaboration activities" and "state treason".

The MP also expressed hope that the bill banning the UOC "can restore political consensus among factions and groups in parliament".

On 5 October 2023, a bill initiated by the SBU to ban denominations related to Russia was registered in the Verkhovna Rada. The document envisaged the liquidation of those denominations whose representatives committed crimes under articles on "war propaganda," "incitement of inter-religious hatred", "terrorism," "planning, preparation, unleashing, and waging of aggressive war", "violations of laws and customs of war", "genocide", and "mercenary activities".

As reported, the MP stated that the bill banning the UOC simplifies the procedure for communities to switch to the OCU.

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