Mufti of Muslims of Crimea sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison
Emirali Ablayev. Photo: Muftiyat of Crimea Facebook
Emirali Ablayev, the Mufti of Muslims in Crimea, who headed the Russian-created "Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea and Sevastopol," has been sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court to 12 years in prison, according to a Facebook post by the Main Directorate of the SBU in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
The investigation established that the mufti encouraged Crimean Tatars to join the occupying forces and organized events where recruitment activities were conducted. Ablayev also appeared on Russian television, where he publicly supported Russian military aggression and justified Russian war crimes.
The court found the mufti guilty under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 3, Article 436-2 (justifying, recognizing as lawful, or denying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and glorifying its participants); and Part 6, Article 111-1 (collaborative activity).
The SBU reported that the defendant is currently located in Crimea, but the agency is taking measures to ensure that he faces punishment.
As reported earlier, the High Anti-Corruption Court applied sanctions and confiscated the property of Metropolitan Lazar of Crimea.
Read also
Chernivtsi bishop consecrates new altar for persecuted Kerstentsi community
In Kerstentsi, believers built a new Transfiguration Church after the previous one was seized by OCU supporters.
Monastic tonsure held at Krasnohorsky All Saints Monastery
Novice Vadym Serkhovets took monastic vows with the name Euthymius.
Over 25,000 faithful pray at Romanian Nicula Monastery on Dormition feast
Thousands of pilgrims walked a 7-kilometer procession to the Nicula Monastery for the feast.
OCU cleric allows attending Uniate churches
OCU cleric Oleksii Filiuk, responding to the question of whether an Orthodox Christian can become a parishioner of a Uniate church, stated that God is one, and one can attend whichever church is closer.
US police detain participants of anti-Islamic demonstration
Police detained protesters following clashes during the "Christian Crusaders March" rally.
Mokrets authorities seek to halt construction of UOC church on private land
After the seizure of the Dormition Church, believers began constructing a new prayer building; however, local authorities are now demanding that the legality of the construction be verified.