Fr Serhiy Chertylin's lawyers file a complaint about pressure on the judge

The judge reads the decision to extend the arrest of Archpriest Serhiy Chertylin. Photo: t.me/save_Lavra

On May 8, the lawyer for Archpriest Serhiy Chertylin, priest Nikita Chekman, spoke about pressure on the judge from law enforcement agencies.

Priest Nikita Chekman reported that "lawyers have discovered a breach of the confidentiality of the deliberation room." The priest considers this to be a "glaring fact".

"During the judge's presence in the deliberation room, investigator of the SBU Oleh Savenko and prosecutor of the Kyiv region prosecutor's office Dediuk entered it," said lawyer Nikita Chekman.

"In this regard, corresponding complaints will be filed with the Supreme Council of Justice, statements will be filed with law enforcement agencies, because this is sheer arbitrariness and blatant audacity on the part of law enforcement agencies," he underscored.

The defense side believes that pressure was exerted on the judge in this case: "The investigator and prosecutor probably spoke to the judge about what decision he should make and similar matters. This fact has been documented by us."

An the UOJ source said that even in the case of the trial of journalists, the situation with the judge looked strange.

According to the source, the judge went to the deliberation room and was absent for more than an hour, while the prosecutor returned almost simultaneously with him.

In addition, investigator Oleh Savenko spent the entire day at the Solomiansky court.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Priest Serhiy Chertylin believes he is being judged for being a priest of the UOC and to intimidate others.

Read also

In Kharkiv region, drafters detain UOC cleric of Izium Eparchy

The priest was held for more than 72 hours, then without explanation was taken to a military unit – there is practically no contact with his family.

His Beatitude: Theophany water drives away demons' dark force from man

In his sermon before the rite of the Great Blessing of Water, the Primate of the UOC highlighted the significance of repentance and the power of holy water.

Nun from Cherkasy monastery about raiders: They had completely wild eyes

Nun Nanna gave testimony in the Cherkasy court about the events of November 20, 2023 – the day of the violent seizure of the Nativity of the Virgin Monastery.

In Dnipro, TRC detains UOC priest to send him to front

A priest of the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy of the UOC is being held at a distribution center; believers are urged to support him with prayer.

Report: Number of Christians in Europe declines by 17 mln over past five years

A new report on the state of Christianity in Europe has recorded a decline in the number of Christian believers amid the weakening role of the church and migration processes.

Armenia to build the world's tallest statue of Jesus on Mount Hatis

The world's tallest statue of Jesus, standing 77 meters high, is being erected near Yerevan as a future pilgrimage center and a symbol of faith.