UOC believer tried in Rivne for "offending" OCU
Court. Photo: astana.sud.kz
A court hearing was held in Volodymyrets, Rivne Oblast, against Ihor Kots, a parishioner of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), who was accused of offending OCU believers.
According to the verdict of the Volodymyrets District Court, on September 2, 2024, Ihor Kots posted comments in a Facebook group regarding the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) that the court deemed offensive.
The court ruling stated that his remarks were allegedly aimed at inciting religious hatred and offending citizens' religious beliefs.
Specifically, the court found that his comments contained derogatory characterizations of OCU parishioners and promoted the exclusivity of the UOC.
His actions were classified under Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – violation of citizens’ equality based on race, nationality, or religious affiliation.
The defendant pleaded guilty and entered into a plea agreement with the prosecutor. Judge Olena Ivankiv approved the agreement and sentenced Ihor Kots to a fine of 3,400 hryvnias without deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specific activities.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that on December 10, 2022, the "Kvartal 95" show aired a blasphemous program about the UOC, which included calls for violence against UOC clergy and believers.
Read also
In Bila Tserkva, local authorities are attempting to seize a monastery building from the UOC
The Bila Tserkva City Council is attempting through the courts to return the buildings of the women's monastery of Mary Magdalene to communal ownership.
Egyptian police arrest Christians targeted in Muslim attacks
Copts were released once they withdrew their complaints against their assailants.
Primate of Macedonian Church congratulates Lavra's abbot on name day
Archbishop Stefan noted the zeal of the Lavra's abbot, who shares the sorrows of his flock.
Persecuted community in Stari Broskivtsi marks patronal feast in new church
The rector thanked the faithful for building a new church to replace the one that was seized.
Authorities hold “memorial” concert in church seized from UOC in Chernihiv
Believers expressed outrage over the transformation of an ancient shrine into a concert venue.
Kremenchuk authorities force OCU to remove fence around Trinity Cathedral
The mayor of Kremenchuk ordered the fence removed and the church’s “strangely divided” land plot reduced.