First court hearings held in the case of UOC cathedral defenders in Cherkasy

Father Roman Harkavenko and Father Oleksandr Smyk are being accused under Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Photo: Dozor

On March 11, 2025, the first court hearings took place in the cases against the defenders of St. Michael's Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Cherkasy, as reported by the Dozor Telegram channel.

Clergymen Father Roman Harkavenko and Father Oleksandr Smyk are being accused under Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to "hooliganism".

"Through these cynical trials against Orthodox Christians, the authorities are attempting to cover up the bloody massacre carried out by OCU militants inside the cathedral," Orthodox journalists claim.

During the hearing, Father Roman fully denied any guilt. According to Dozor, his defense possesses "ironclad evidence that one of the so-called witnesses was not even present at the scene."

It is noted that since the case against Father Oleksandr is falling apart, the prosecution proposed a reconciliation agreement.

"The clergyman refused, as the law enforcement documents referred to the seized cathedral as the 'garrison cathedral of the OCU.' The prosecutor refused to acknowledge the shrine's affiliation with the UOC. The trial will continue," the report states.

According to Dozor journalists, the prosecution has now taken a pause in the proceedings.

As previously reported by the UOJ, law enforcement officers from the Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) had attempted to detain the cathedral defenders near the courthouse.

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