Another Jehovah's Witness who refused mobilization sentenced
Illustrative photo: rbc.ua
On April 22, 2025, the Slavyansk District court of Donetsk region sentenced a man to three years of imprisonment for refusing to appear at the military enlistment office after receiving a mobilization summons, citing religious beliefs.
The convicted individual, a Jehovah's Witness, had previously submitted requests to replace military service with alternative civilian service. However, according to the court's explanations, the legislation provides for such a replacement only for conscription during peacetime. During mobilization, the right to alternative service is limited.
The court found the guilt proven and stated that the refusal to appear violates the constitutional duty of citizens to defend the state in conditions of martial law.
The man was sentenced to three years of imprisonment under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The sentence can still be appealed in the appellate court.
As reported by the UOJ, earlier in Lviv region, a member of the "Jehovah's Witnesses" was sentenced to three years in prison for evading mobilization. In court, he confirmed that he refused mobilization due to his religious beliefs.
Read also
Medieval сhurch сrumbles as Culture Ministry сites missing agreement
The 14th–15th-century St. Nicholas Church in Chesnyky, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, is falling into disrepair.
Poland сondemns Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2007 year of UPA
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the Lviv Regional Council's decision to dedicate 2027 to the UPA and Roman Shukhevych is harmful to Ukraine.
OCU seeks court recognition of ownership of seized Cherkasy cathedral
The Cherkasy Regional Commercial Court will hear an OCU lawsuit seeking ownership of St. Michael's Cathedral, which was seized from UOC believers.
Lithuanian bishop: Ukraine is no model for believers' rights
Vicar of Vilnius Diocese voices concern over attempts to import Ukraine's religious conflict into Lithuania.
Hundreds of believers honor St. Alexis of Carpatho-Russia in Khust Eparchy
At the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Iza-Karputlash, Metropolitan Mark of Khust led a festive liturgy, concelebrated by six metropolitans, five archbishops and three bishops.
Court upholds UOC parish appeal in Voloshky over OCU switch dispute
The Northern Commercial Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the St. Nicholas parish of the UOC in the village of Voloshky, Volyn region, in a dispute over a transfer to the OCU.