In Khmelnytskyi, court upholds sentence of UOC subdeacon for assault

Fight in the Cathedral. Photo: Glavcom

The Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeal upheld the Khmelnytskyi District Court’s May 10, 2024, ruling against Ihor Slobodian, a subdeacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). According to the verdict, the UOC cleric received a probationary sentence of one year and six months, as reported by Glavcom, referencing the court registry.

The court found Slobodian guilty of intentionally inflicting minor bodily harm on Artur Ananyev, a former serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and currently active military personnel. The incident took place in the Khmelnytskyi Holy Protection Cathedral, where Slobodian assaulted Ananyev, causing temporary health impairment to the victim.

In the appeal, Slobodian’s defense attorney argued for the dismissal of the case, claiming his client’s innocence and asserting that Slobodian himself was the actual victim. According to the defense, Ananyev disrupted the service by shouting accusations against "Moscow priests," allegedly provoking the conflict. The defense even claimed that Ananyev tried to harm himself by hitting his head against a doorway inside the cathedral.

However, the appeals court found the initial ruling justified. The court concluded that the evidence sufficiently established Slobodyan’s guilt, and his actions were correctly classified as a criminal offense. The decision also took into account the number and severity of the blows inflicted and their consequences.

The appellate court’s ruling may be appealed to the Supreme Court within three months.

As part of his sentence, the subdeacon must regularly report any changes in his employment to the police and complete a probationary program focused on managing aggressive behavior.

As reported by the UOJ, Ihor Slobodian previously provided his account of the events that led to the takeover of the Khmelnytskyi Cathedral.

Read also

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.