Novynskyi's autobiography as evidence of his "incitement"
Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi. Photo: Novynskyi's Facebook
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) announced that it had received important documents in the case of protodeacon and former MP Vadym Novynskyi: copies of his autobiography, education diploma, passport, Decree on the granting of Ukrainian citizenship, and other documents. All this is necessary for the investigation into Novynskyi's actions, as he allegedly "along with other unidentified individuals" carried out "actions to incite religious enmity and hatred."
Does anyone remember Novynskyi's "inciting" actions? Against the backdrop of the unpunished seizures of UOC churches, with jaws being broken, the use of bats, gas and traumatic weapons in churches, such statements from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) just look like mockery. Instead of halting criminal activities directed against millions of believing Ukrainians, the SBI seriously announces that they are going to study Novynskyi's autobiography and diploma. What are you hoping to find there?
In the winter of 2022-2023, the SBU carried out large-scale searches in eparchial offices and monasteries of the UOC. Amid the cheers of "patriotic" media, law enforcement officers published photos of stacks of children's Bibles, "Catechisms in pictures", old newspapers, magazines, and half-century-old prayer books, all of which were "guilty" simply because they were printed in Moscow. This was pompously called "bulk shipments of pro-Kremlin literature that praises the aggressor country and urges support for the occupiers".
Absurd? Absurd. But in some ways, the SBI and SBU workers can be understood.
Yes, it's a bit embarrassing. But at least they're not on the front line.
Read also
Authorities “open” the Far Caves – whatever they do, nothing works for them
The authorities and the OCU are straining every nerve to make everything look properly “churchlike” – every bit as respectable as under the “Moscow priests.” Yet all they ever produce is a parody with a distinctly Bolshevik stench.
Athonite monks at Dumenko’s Lavra “service”
OCU benefactors paid for the visit of a magnificent Byzantine choir led by the Archon Protopsaltis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
When building a church is banned – is that “freedom of faith”?
In Nychehivka, the authorities unlawfully halted construction of a UOC church on private land.
Mobilizing UOC clergy: Are the authorities simply purging “Moscow priests”?
UOC clerics – unlike those of the OCU, UGCC, Jews, Muslims, and pagans – are granted no exemptions.
Will those who praised the Nazis be included in Ukraine's Pantheon of Heroes?
It may prove difficult to argue that people who sent greetings to Hitler and praised the Nazi army do not fall under Ukraine’s laws condemning Nazism.