Mayor of Irpin, who "transferred" churches to OCU, taken into custody

Markushyn in the courthouse. Photo: Suspilne

On January 23, 2025, the Pechersk Court ordered the mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushyn, to be held in a pre-trial detention center until March 22. According to Suspilne, Markushyn was charged by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) with illegal border crossing in August 2022.

The court ruled for Markushyn's detention until March 22, 2025, with the option to post bail of 30 million UAH. He was also suspended from his duties until that date.

Additionally, in 2024, Markushyn was implicated in corruption scandals. City council deputies accused him of forging city council decisions, embezzling the local budget through the registration of "ghost employees", and taking kickbacks from executive committee staff salaries.

In the courtroom, a group of people with posters accused Markushyn of looting.

It should be noted that, under Markushyn's direct leadership and with the use of illegal gatherings involving outsiders, all UOC churches in Irpin were transferred to the OCU, including those that were privately owned. There are no Orthodox churches left in the city.

Under his leadership, the Irpin City Council also appealed to President Zelenskyy to ban the UOC.

Earlier, UOJ reported that the Holy Trinity Church, transferred to the OCU in Irpin, was later closed.

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