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
Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka
A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.
Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control
Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.
In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots
The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.
388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report
The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.
Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path
During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.
His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast
During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.