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

In Khmelnytsky Oblast, the TCC abducted the rector of the community in Sutkovtsi

Archpriest Volodymyr Stefanyshyn is already at the training ground.

Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul

On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.

UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials

Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.

Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action

An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.

European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan

The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.

Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region

The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.