Former Jehovah's Witness convicted for draft evasion in Volyn Region
Former Jehovah's Witness convicted for draft evasion. Photo: Depositphotos
The Rozhyshche District Court in the Volyn region has convicted a conscripted former Jehovah's Witness for evading military mobilization, reports Suspilne.
During the trial, he stated that he did indeed receive a summons on December 8, 2023, but evaded mobilization because he believes his religious convictions entitle him to alternative service, having been a Jehovah's Witness since childhood. The court took into account that, according to the elder of this religious organization in the city of Rozhyshche, the defendant was expelled from Jehovah's Witnesses in March 2022 for repeated moral violations and had no intention of returning.
The court sentenced the man to 18 months of imprisonment; however, he has the right to appeal the verdict.
As reported by the UOJ, a human rights defender explained that refusing military service due to religious beliefs is not permissible during wartime. Ukrainian legislation does not provide for alternative military service during wartime.
Read also
OCU explains why beggars are driven away from St. Michael’s Cathedral
A cleric of Dumenko’s structure admitted that beggars are not tolerated at the OCU’s main monastery because of their “high incomes” and the desire not to damage the site’s image before foreign tourists.
UOC Chancellor: Venerable Anthony founded a monastery, not a reserve
Metropolitan Anthony said that the attempt to turn the Lavra into a state preserve is, in essence, an attempt to lock living Orthodoxy behind a door.
Dumenko discusses countering hostile influence in spiritual life with PO head
The heads of the OCU and the Presidential Office touched on state-church relations and “spiritual security” in wartime.
Albanian Primate speaks about ways to resolve OCU problem
Archbishop John is convinced: disagreements between Moscow and Constantinople can only be overcome through love and dialogue, but not through choosing "sides".
National Memory Institute and SBU open exhibition on UGCC liquidation
An exhibition on the repression of the Uniates has opened in the capital, while state officials search for historical parallels with the present day.
OCU "priest" “allows” parishioners to use priest’s cassock for sex games
Ruslan Usmedinsky said that using a priest’s cassock as a prop for role-playing games can strengthen relationships between couples.