DESS expert: “The problem is that Metropolitan Onuphry doesn’t yield to pressure”

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC press service

Andriy Smirnov, an external expert for the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) and a member of the Synodal Commission of the OCU, commented on the revocation of Ukrainian citizenship from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, stating that the Primate of the UOC does not give in to pressure. He shared his views in an interview with the publication Glavred.

According to Smirnov, under current Ukrainian legislation, Metropolitan Onuphry has only three months to resolve his legal residency status in Ukraine.

He stated that, “if there is political will, the state may deport Metropolitan Onuphry for violating migration laws and lacking legal grounds to remain in Ukraine.”

However, Smirnov doubts that the authorities will take such a step.

“More likely, sanctions may be imposed against Metropolitan Onuphry as an additional lever of pressure,” he said. “But the problem is that he doesn’t yield to pressure and will not comply with DESS directives or make concessions to the state.”

As previously reported by the UOJ, dozens of videos have been recorded by UOC believers in support of His Beatitude.

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