Jehovah’s witness in Zakarpattia sentenced to 3 years for refusing mobilization
Illustrative image of mobilization in Ukraine. Photo: TSN
On September 25, 2025, the Rakhiv District Court of Zakarpattia Region sentenced a 45-year-old man to three years in prison for refusing mobilization on religious grounds, TSN reported.
According to the court, the Zakarpattia resident had been deemed fit for military service and in December 2024 received a summons. However, he refused to serve. At the hearing, he stated that he was a bishop of the religious organization “Jehovah’s Witnesses” and could not become a serviceman because of his beliefs.
The clergyman explained that he was ready to do any other kind of work, but could not accept the status of a soldier – the oath, the uniform, and obedience to military orders. The court ruled that current legislation does not permit refusal of mobilization on religious grounds and does not grant the right to alternative service during martial law.
As a result, the man was found guilty under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and sentenced to three years in prison.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Khmelnytskyi Region a man was convicted for refusing mobilization on religious grounds.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.