Amsterdam: The whole world must know of Zelensky’s shame in Chernivtsi

Robert Amsterdam. Photo: Amsterdam’s X account

Robert Amsterdam, the international legal representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), has published a video on social network X showing the brutal beating of an Orthodox priest during the seizure of the UOC cathedral in Chernivtsi. He appealed to the international community to stop the religious persecution taking place in Ukraine.

In his statement, Amsterdam said: "Right now, I have a report to you from the front in Ukraine. Christians are being beaten, tortured, and held as hostages. You are going to see violence here being visited upon Christian believers who are guilty of nothing but belief in Christ."

According to the lawyer, another “blatant incident” took place in Chernivtsi during an attempted takeover of the Holy Spirit Cathedral: "The group of young people – radicals, extremists in balaclavas, hiding their faces – seized the cathedral and knocked down the priests and believers of this temple."

Amsterdam emphasized that the clergy suffered serious injuries: "In this case in Chernivtsi we've got a priest who has three ribs broken and a concussion as a result of the activity of members of the Ukrainian government." The injured priest, who also suffered internal bleeding, was rushed to the hospital.

The lawyer accused Ukrainian authorities of being complicit in the assault: "The seizure of the church was carried out under the cover of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, official security forces, and with the support of local authorities."

"We want to draw the attention of the international community to these events, so the world can know and understand what is happening in the country," Amsterdam said, urging people not to support the current Ukrainian authorities but to defend the legitimate rights and freedoms of UOC believers.

In conclusion, the international lawyer delivered a scathing critique of Ukraine’s leadership: "This cannot continue to go on in the 21st century. It is shameful of the Ukrainian government. It is horrifying that this is going on, and every member of the government – with Mr. Zelensky down – should hang their heads in shame."

In another post on X, Amsterdam published security footage from the cathedral in Chernivtsi, showing what he described as gangster-style behavior by OCU militants.

"This is what a state-run crackdown on Christianity looks like," he wrote. "In Chernivtsi, footage shows thugs – led by police, a government-backed OCU priest, and even someone faking a disability – seizing a Ukrainian Orthodox Church and beating a parishioner. Watch and judge for yourself."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a media outlet close to the Patriarchate of Constantinople condemned the seizure in Chernivtsi.

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