SBU visits UOC priest of Shepetivka Eparchy for the second time in a year

SBU presents a suspicion to the cleric of the Shepetivka Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Photo: t.me/SBUkr.

On April 22, 2024, the SBU handed over suspicion to a cleric of the Shepetivka Eparchy of the UOC on two counts: Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (incitement of religious hatred) and Part 1 of Article 436-2 (justification of armed aggression of the Russian Federation). The department's press service wrote about this on social media.

"The Security Service has documented subversive activities by the rector of the Shepetivka Eparchy of the UOC (MP) in the Khmelnytskyi region. The cleric supported aggressive war against Ukraine and incited religious hatred," the statement said.

The UOJ found out that the priest charged is Archpriest Mykola Khlan.

A year ago, in May 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a search in the house of Archpriest Mykola and opened a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code. The court ruling stated that during the investigation, a witness reported that the priest "repeatedly expressed negative opinions regarding the transition of churches from the UOC (MP) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine," as well as criticized the activities of the leadership of the OCU.

The priest himself is the rector of the John the Theologian parish in the village of Peremyshel, which the authorities illegally re-registered to the OCU.

Almost a year after the first visit to the clergyman, the SBU reported on some expertise that "confirmed the facts of the cleric's criminal actions".

In particular, it is said that during services, the priest allegedly "praised Putin and blamed the Ukrainian authorities for the war." Also mentioned are some "Russian fakes about the war in Ukraine" and publications on "interfaith relations in the state" on his VKontakte page.

The SBU does not provide specific examples of such publications and states that the priest was handed a suspicion under the following articles: Part 1 of Article 161 (violation of equality of citizens depending on their religious beliefs); Part 1 of Article 436-2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine).

It is stated that comprehensive measures were carried out by SBU employees in the Khmelnytskyi region jointly with the National Police under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor's office.

"The investigation continues. The offender faces up to 5 years in prison," the SBU press service concludes.

As reported by the UOJ, in the Khmelnytskyi region, a case was opened against a priest of the UOC for criticizing the OCU.

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