Lawyer: SBU conducted searches at the Legal Defense Center of the UOC

Lawyer Priest Nikita Chekman. Photo: screenshot from the lawyer's Telegram channel

On March 12, 2024, representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches at the Legal Defense Center of the UOC. This was reported by lawyer Priest Nikita Chekman in his Telegram channel.

"Today it became known that employees of the SBU conducted a search in the office where the Legal Defense Center operates, where citizens are received, where a lawyer is on duty and answers calls," he noted.

The lawyer emphasized that according to the norms of current legislation, a search at the official workplace of a lawyer can only be conducted in accordance with a special procedure, which was not observed by SBU employees. Also, representatives of the National Bar Association should be present during such searches.

"A lawyer who represents the interests of our law firm has arrived at the scene," said Father Nikita. "We hope that SBU employees will comply with the prescriptions of Ukrainian legislation."

According to him, such actions by representatives of state authorities mean that they "have decided to carry out blatant political persecutions of anyone who is displeasing to them, who defends the rights of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church."

The clergyman added that "we must be morally prepared for this and not give up, defending the truth of God."

Priest Nikita Chekman asked all believers for prayer support.

As reported by the UOJ, on March 12, SBU representatives came to the employees of the Union of Orthodox Journalists. They confiscated computer equipment and phones.

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