SBU detains UOC priests for degrading Jewish honor and treason

SBU during searches at a UOC cleric’s residence. Photo: SBU

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the detention of two Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) priests from the Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia regions, according to law enforcement reports on Telegram.

According to case materials, the clerics “praised Putin, called for the seizure of the entire territory of our state, and spread antisemitic statements.”

The SBU claims that the priests "disseminated enemy propaganda during conversations with parishioners, as well as on their social media accounts and messaging apps."

According to the accusations, a priest from the Zhytomyr region “degraded the honor and dignity of Jewish people” and "expressed support for Kremlin policies."

A hieromonk from the Vinnytsia region allegedly “advocated for the seizure of Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine.”

The SBU asserts that the "criminal actions of the suspects" were confirmed by an expert examination initiated by investigators.

The clerics face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to a member of parliament, an SBU officer overseeing the persecution of the UOC was arrested in Kyiv.

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