Court hearing on extending Metropolitan Arseniy’s detention postponed

Court hearing on Metropolitan Arseniy’s case, January 28, 2025. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra

On January 28, 2025, the Sloviansk City and District Court of Donetsk Region held another hearing in the case of Metropolitan Arseniy, the abbot of the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra. According to the monastery’s press service, the session was conducted online.

Although some defense attorneys were unable to attend for valid reasons, the hearing was declared open.

The session began with the prosecutor submitting a motion to extend Metropolitan Arseniy’s detention in the Dnipro pre-trial detention center for another two months. His current detention period is set to expire on February 2.

The defense, however, insists on his release either on bail or under the guarantee of 11 members of the Ukrainian Parliament. One of these MPs, Viktoriya Hryb, participated in the hearing.

The session was interrupted due to technical issues, as the court building lost its internet connection.

The hearing on the further preventive measures for Metropolitan Arseniy is scheduled to continue on Thursday, January 30, in an online format, starting at 13:00.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Court of Appeals had earlier denied a motion for Metropolitan Arseniy’s release.

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