SBU comments on its actions regarding UOJ employees

Photo: SBU

On March 12, 2024, news emerged of searches conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) at the UOJ offices. Later, in its Telegram channel, the SBU published a message stating that it had exposed more than 15 individuals and detained four of them.

The SBU described its actions as "neutralizing in Kyiv a criminal organization engaged in information sabotage at the behest of the FSB."

According to them, "the wrongdoers mass-produced and disseminated pro-Kremlin narratives and provocative messages aimed at destabilizing the socio-political situation and fueling religious hatred in Ukraine."

However, examples of such narratives and messages were not provided.

The agency reported on exposing 15 members of the "group" and detaining four "key actors". One of them, as stated in the message, is the rector of a UOC cathedral in the capital.

During the searches, the SBU discovered mobile phones and computer equipment, which, according to their statement, "were used in criminal activities in favor of the aggressor country".

"Based on the collected evidence, four detainees and ten other participants of the criminal organization have been informed of suspicion under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

▪️ Part 2 of Article 111 (state treason committed in conditions of martial law);

▪️ Part 6 of Article 111-1 (collaborative activities);

▪️ Part 4 of Article 28, Part 1, Part 2 of Article 255 (establishment and participation in a criminal organization);

▪️ Part 3 of Article 161 (incitement of religious enmity and hatred committed by an organized group);

▪️ Parts 1 and 2 of Article 436-2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine).

The issue of choosing preventive measures – detention – is being resolved. The investigation continues to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring the guilty to justice.

The wrongdoers face life imprisonment," concluded the SBU.

As reported by the UOJ, the SBU conducted searches at the Legal Defense Center of the UOC.

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