Court keeps UOJ journalist in custody, rejecting appeal
Valeriy Stupnitsky in court. Photo: UOJ
On August 28, 2024, the Kyiv Court of Appeal rejected the appeal filed by lawyer Roman Gontarev against the decision of the Solomensky District Court of Kyiv to extend the detention of Valeriy Stupnitsky, a journalist with the "Union of Orthodox Journalists" (UOJ). The defense had requested that the detention be replaced with house arrest or the option to post bail, but the judges declined the request.
Lawyer Gontarev criticized the court for bias and support of the prosecution. He highlighted the lack of evidence linking Stupnitsky to Russia. Gontarev also pointed out that Prosecutor Ivan Dziuba reiterated previously stated arguments, including claims that the website did not contain information about voluntary transitions to the OCU and that Stupnitsky had blocked the publication of an article about aid to victims following the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant.
“These arguments were used to substantiate the suspicion of justifying aggression and treason. He didn't even bother to check the website to see if there was information about voluntary transitions,” said the lawyer.
Gontarev underscored that the website indeed contains information about voluntary transitions, and the article about aid to the victims had also been published. He expressed frustration with Prosecutor Dziuba's performance:
“The person just came, mumbled something, the judges listened and decided that he was right. It seems that the prosecutor’s job is just to speak, no matter what. Say something, and you will surely be supported,” Gontarev fumed.
He added that the judges did not allow either the lawyer or Stupnitsky to respond to these claims, which indicates bias in the judicial process.
🙏🙏🙏 You can support the defense of Orthodox journalists by donating via the following details:
MONOBANK CARD NUMBER:
5375 4114 3203 1495
https://send.monobank.ua/jar/NYXB691rx
As reported by the UOJ, Orthodox journalists' lawyers have accused the investigator of manipulation.
Read also
Metropolitan Onuphry leads Liturgy at Intercession Monastery of Kyiv
On the Feast of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas's Cathedral of the Intercession Monastery and offered prayers for peace in the Ukrainian land.
Persecuted community of Verkhni Stanivtsi celebrates archpastoral Liturgy
For the second year in a row, the parishioners have been celebrating their patronal feast day outside the walls of their church, which was seized by OCU supporters with police backing in April 2025.
Organizers of procession to Bancheny Monastery fined
Chernivtsi region police have drawn up administrative protocols against the organizers of the UOC pilgrimage to Bancheny Monastery.
Remains of OUN-M leader Melnyk brought to UGCC cathedral in Kyiv
The ashes of the OUN leader and his wife Sofia, who had been buried at a cemetery in Luxembourg, were brought to the UGCC cathedral.
Tens of thousands of believers process with Theotokos Belt in Belgrade
On the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, the Primate of the Serbian Church and Athonite abbots led a large-scale procession with the Vatopedi holy relic.
Metropolitan Meletiy supports persecuted UOC community in Dobrynivtsi
The archpastor led the festive service on the eve of the patronal feast and called on the faithful to remain steadfast in prayer.