Amsterdam: Ukraine uses judiciary as an instrument of torture of UOC clergy
Metropolitan Longin (Zhar). Photo: x.com/robertamsterdam
On October 31, American lawyer Robert Amsterdam responded to the situation during a court hearing involving Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny. The human rights advocate wrote on his X account, condemning the Ukrainian authorities’ use of the judicial system as a tool for torturing and intimidating clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
“We are informed that Metropolitan Longin, who has long suffered serious medical ailments, experienced a heart attack during one of his extended hearings related to his show trial. He was rushed to emergency care,” he informed his followers.
Robert Amsterdam emphasized his belief that the charges brought against Metropolitan Longin and other clergymen are false.
“We completely denounce these false charges brought against Longin and others, and denounce Ukraine's use of the judicial system as an instrument of torture and intimidation of the UOC clergy.,” the lawyer stated. “President Zelenskyy should hang his head in shame over the abuse and mistreatment of Orthodox Christians which has been enabled by Law 3894.”
As previously reported by the UOJ, the defender of the UOC hierarch noted that Metropolitan Longin’s health has significantly deteriorated during the court proceedings.
Read also
Most Britons oppose abortions, poll finds
The survey found that 62% of UK residents support legal protection for unborn children from the moment their heartbeat is first detected.
Annual academic conference opens at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary
The fifteenth annual conference was dedicated to the anniversaries of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrožský and Metropolitan Rafail (Zaborovský).
Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America
During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.
UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference
Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.
Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site
The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.
Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches
The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.