The judge ignores testimony of Fr Serhiy's wife about his poor health

Hearing at Solomiansky Court on May 8, 2024. Photo: screenshot from the video t.me/save_Lavra

During the court hearing on May 8, the wife of the UOC priest Sergiy Chertilin, Yuliya Chertylina, spoke about her husband's health, emphasizing that his condition is very serious and he needs constant care and proper nutrition.

According to Yuliya Chertylina, Father Serhiy's illness began back in 2022: poor health, very severe pains. The doctor prescribed proper care and treatment for him. Surgery was also necessary, but it involved certain preparation. The illness was so severe that the doctor prescribed pain relievers.

The priest underwent treatment at home for 5-6 months, and there was an improvement. However, in September 2023, his condition deteriorated again.

The doctor prescribed not just medication but improving his overall health so that the surgery could be performed.

"With each appointment, the doctor observed changes in skin color, deterioration. Frequent dizziness, ringing in the ears. Tests revealed low hemoglobin – 51. The doctor determined the need for hospitalization. But the attending physician prescribed diets that were maintained at home – a protein diet because his illness is related to fragile blood vessels that burst and bleeding starts... Pomegranate juice, liver are needed. But the pain started again, he was given injections again," the woman said.

After the arrest and the admission of lawyers to Father Serhiy, they noted a deterioration in the client's health, which they told his wife about.

"It's clear that there is no proper care there (in prison), it's clear that there is no proper nutrition. If he has pain, who will help him? In his condition, he won't be able to survive here. I ask to release him for treatment, changing the measure of restraint," she said.

To her request, the judge only replied, "This is a testimony about the state of health, nothing more. Are you done?"

Archpriest Nikita Chekman added that Father Serhiy's wife has always taken care of him, followed the diet prescribed by doctors – she only cooked boiled veal, semi-raw liver, pomegranate juice.

Yuliya added that it's impossible to follow such a diet in a pre-trial detention center.

"In 3 days, they will give him (food – Ed.), but it will spoil. Freshly squeezed juice is needed, in glass – no one (prison staff – Ed.) will accept it from me. I can't help him while he's there," explained Fr. Serhiy's wife.

The judge ignored all the testimonies about the state of health and ruled for the UOC priest to remain in Lukyanivska SIZO, even without the right to bail.

As the UOJ reported, Father Serhiy Chertylin stated that he is being judged for being a priest of the UOC and to intimidate others.

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