Court denies livestreaming of hearings in the case of Metropolitan Arseniy

Metropolitan Arseniy (Yakovenko) at the court hearing on February 18. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra

On February 18, the Sloviansk City District Court of Donetsk Region completed its review of a motion filed by the defense attorneys of Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk to allow livestreaming of court hearings on YouTube and the “Judicial Authority of Ukraine” portal. According to the press service of the monastery, the judge denied the motion.

According to the defense team, livestreaming is crucial because the case of the abbot of Sviatohirsk Lavra has gained significant public attention. Many people worldwide are concerned about the fate of Metropolitan Arseniy.

The Sviatohirsk Monastery reminded that in the fall of 2024, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem assured his prayerful support for the hierarchs of the UOC, particularly Metropolitan Arseniy. The Lavra has received letters of support from hierarchs of various Orthodox Churches, as well as from believers in Australia, Germany, Greece, Serbia, the United States, and other countries. Some of these letters have been submitted as evidence by the defense.

"After hearing both the defense and the prosecution, the court denied the motion, meaning that online broadcasts will not take place. As a result, concerned individuals from Ukraine, the U.S., EU countries, and beyond will continue to be unable to follow the court proceedings deciding the fate of Metropolitan Arseniy. The ruling is not subject to appeal," the statement said.

On February 25 at 1:45 PM, the Dnipro Court of Appeals in Kryvyi Rih is scheduled to hold an online hearing to review the defense's appeals against the Sloviansk court's decision to extend Metropolitan Arseniy’s detention until March 30.

The next hearing in the Sloviansk court regarding Metropolitan Arseniy’s case is scheduled for February 27.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Sloviansk City District Court of Donetsk Region extended the detention of the abbot of Sviatohirsk Lavra until March 30.

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