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.

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