Verkhovna Rada votes for sanctions to be imposed on ROC Patriarch & clergy

On 31 May 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine addressed the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine with a proposal to impose sanctions for 10 years against eight representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, including Patriarch Kirill. The relevant draft resolution was voted for by 292 MPs at the Rada meeting, reports MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak on his Telegram channel.

The sanctions list includes:

• Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia;
• Metropolitan Hilarion, a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, a permanent member of the Holy Synod;
• Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, a clergyman of the Russian Orthodox Church, Vice-Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Rector of the Church of the Resurrection on Uspensky Vrazhokin Moscow, a member of the Inter-Siberian Assembly of the Russian Orthodox Church, Doctor of Theology;
• Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov and Porkhov, head of the Pskov Metropolis (since May 2018); Archimandrite and abbot of the Pskov-Caves Monastery, Chairman of the Patriarchal Council for Culture.

VR also proposes to add four more representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church to the list of sanctioned ones, in particular, Archbishop Pitirim of Syktyvkar and Komi-Zyryansk, Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov, Archpriest Andrei Tkachev and Honored Professor of the Moscow Orthodox Theological Academy and Seminary of the Russian Orthodox Church Alexei Osipov.

The personal restrictions include the blocking of assets, trade restrictions, a partial or full ban on the transit of resources, flights and transportation through Ukraine, prevention of capital transfer outside of Ukraine, suspended fulfilment of economic and financial obligations, annulment or suspension of mineral development licenses, a ban on privatization and leasing of public property, and a ban on access to radio frequencies in Ukraine.

A separate clause prohibits cultural exchanges, scientific cooperation, and educational and sports contacts. Visits, negotiations and contracts are cancelled, and those who have them will be stripped of Ukrainian state awards. 

As reported, Dumenko demanded the trial of Patriarch Kirill.

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