Court permits removal of electronic bracelet from Metropolitan Theodosiy

Metropolitan Theodosiy joined the session at Sosnivskyi District Court online with his lawyer. Photo: Suspilne

On November 29, the Sosnivskyi District Court in Cherkasy held another hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv. According to Suspilne, the Metropolitan remains under nighttime house arrest but has been allowed to remove his electronic bracelet.

The Metropolitan joined the session online along with his lawyer.

Due to the expiration of the current preventive measure on December 2, prosecutor Kateryna Kostenko filed a motion to extend the Metropolitan’s nighttime house arrest from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The prosecutor justified her request by alleging that Metropolitan Feodosiy was helping the main witness in the case evade authorities.

The Metropolitan’s lawyers strongly denied this claim: “The content and justification of the prosecution’s motions remain unchanged. However, the case is moving forward, and the stage of witness interrogation has already passed. Thus, any assertion that the Metropolitan could influence witnesses is unfounded.”

When the judge asked whether the prosecution insisted on the electronic bracelet, considering its prolonged use might harm the defendant’s health, the prosecutor replied affirmatively, stating that the defendant had not provided evidence that it was detrimental.

The defense argued that by fulfilling all procedural obligations, Metropolitan Theodosiy had proven that the electronic bracelet was unnecessary. They asserted that a personal commitment without the electronic bracelet would suffice.

Attorney Hrydenko requested the prosecutor’s dismissal due to alleged bias, a motion supported by the hierarch.

“As for a negative attitude toward the Ukrainian authorities, this is not against the law. Every citizen has the right to their opinion. Regarding the prosecutor’s claim of Ukrainophobia, I find it an offensive accusation against me,” said the Metropolitan.

The court rejected the defense’s motion to dismiss the prosecutor.

The court extended Metropolitan Theodosiy’s nighttime house arrest for 60 days, until January 27, but allowed the removal of the electronic bracelet.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for December 5.

As previously reported by UOJ, the court had earlier rejected a motion to place Metropolitan Theodosiy under round-the-clock house arrest.

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