Lawyer of UOC: Court postponed to deny UOC priest access to justice
Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Photo: Screenshot of video t.me/nikita_chekman
The court hearing regarding the change in preventive measures for UOC priest Serhiy Chertylin was postponed to a date after the expiration of his current detention period. Father Serhiy's lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, shared this after the court session on May 30, 2024.
"There is every reason to believe that this is being done intentionally so that Father Serhiy cannot access justice and appeal the illegal decision of the Solomiansky District Court investigative judge," the lawyer suggested.
He reminded that during the previous session, before the decision to extend Father Serhiy's detention was made, there was documented pressure on the judge from law enforcement officers.
"Father Serhiy has already filed a disciplinary complaint against Judge Voronkin because, while he was in the deliberation room, a prosecutor and an investigator approached him. They had a conversation, after which the judge came out and announced the decision to extend Father Serhiy Chertylin's detention," noted Archpriest Nikita.
However, according to the defense, the court chose this path to "wash their hands and not consider the case until the appeal of this ruling loses its relevance (the term expires)."
The UOC lawyer also reported that the priest is currently in the medical unit of the Kyiv pre-trial detention center.
"His health is deteriorating, and in this regard, the defense has submitted appropriate requests to determine his current health condition," he added.
As the UOJ previously reported, the lawyers of Father Serhiy Chertylin are filing a complaint regarding pressure on the judge.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".