"Car accident" provocation near courthouse reported by Cherkasy Eparchy

Provocations near Sosnivskyi District Court in Cherkasy against the bishop and UOC believers. Photo: Cherkasy Diocese

On June 11, the Cherkasy Eparchy reported that one of the provocateurs outside the Sosnivskyi District Court, where a session was being held, deliberately put his foot under the wheel of the departing car carrying Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv to simulate being "run over". According to the diocese's press service, this occurred after the court session ended.

"Before the court session and after it concluded, the troublemakers prevented Metropolitan Theodosiy and the Cherkasy believers who surrounded him from entering and exiting the court building peacefully. This all happened despite the presence of numerous police and SBU officers who did nothing. The main attack on the believers was planned for after the court session ended," the diocese noted.

The report states that after Metropolitan Theodosiy managed to break through the crowd and get into his car to leave, one of the "activists" put his foot under the wheel of the departing car to simulate being "run over".

"It seems this scenario was pre-arranged by the event organizers, as immediately after this, the previously inactive police blocked the Metropolitan's car for several hours to 'document the accident'. These hours were turned into continuous harassment for the Cherkasy believers," the diocesan press service stated.

Additionally, it was reported that a "journalist" from the local publication "18000" broke the windshield and dented the hood of the diocesan car. During this time, the believers were subjected to insults, mockery, intimidation, and threats to drive them out of the city and country. The believers tried to remain calm, singing prayers to the Holy Mother of God and Easter hymns.

"This all occurred in front of the 'House of Justice' for several hours, in the presence of dozens of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges entering and exiting the building, and was filmed by local media," added the Cherkasy Eparchy, expressing doubt that any of the provocateurs would be held accountable under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (incitement of religious enmity), which Metropolitan Theodosiy is being tried for.

As the UOJ previously reported, due to the provocations, Metropolitan Theodosiy had requested the court hearings to be moved online.

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