Lawyers of Metropolitan Arseniy denied the judge’s recusal
Metropolitan Arseniy participates in the court session via video link. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra
On October 4, a preliminary court session was supposed to take place in the Sloviansk city district court of Donetsk region regarding the case of the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, Metropolitan Arseniy (Yakovenko), during which the court intended to consider the prosecutor's request to extend the pre-trial detention of the bishop. According to the monastery's press service, the session was postponed due to the defense attorneys’ motion for the judge's recusal.
It is noted that the defense, doubting the impartiality of the presiding judge, Tetiana Khaustova, requested her recusal so that the case could be considered by another judge.
Until the motion for recusal was reviewed, no sessions in the case could proceed.
The recusal request of Judge T. Khaustova was reviewed by another judge on the morning of October 7. The request was not granted.
The next session regarding Metropolitan Arseniy's case will take place on Tuesday, October 8, in the same Sloviansk city district court. During this session, the court will consider the prosecutor's request to extend the bishop's detention.
The session is set to begin at 1:00 PM.
“Brothers and sisters, we ask for your prayers for the imprisoned Metropolitan Arseniy and the brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra,” the statement reads.
As reported by UOJ, Metropolitan Arseniy was allowed to participate in the court via video link.
The bishop was arrested on April 24, 2024, and, according to a decision by the Zhovtnevyi court of Dnipro, he has been held in Dnipro's detention center since April 25. On August 15, despite the defense’s motions for a change in the measure of restraint to bail or a release under surety, the Sloviansk city district court decided to extend the bishop’s detention until October 13.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.