UCCRO responds to government corruption with “deep pain”

Zelensky and Chernyshov, who is implicated in the investigation, with members of the AUCCRO. Photo: Office of the President

The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) has responded to the large-scale corruption scandal in society, related to the schemes of illicit enrichment in which, according to the investigation, high-ranking officials and individuals close to them were involved. According to the members of the organization, they received the news “with deep pain.”

“At a time when our soldiers shed their blood for freedom, corrupt abuse of power or influence becomes not only a criminal offense but is also perceived as an affront to the heroism of our defenders and to the sacrifice of the entire nation,” UCCRO said.

Its members called on the government – and Zelensky personally (in whose circle NABU uncovered the leadership of corruption schemes) – “to ensure a just investigation into the allegations of corruption crimes.” They added that "fair punishment for the guilty must be inevitable, regardless of their official position or previous connections."

UCCRO warned that corruption undermines public unity, demoralizes society, and that “internal quarrels only weaken us and serve the aggressor’s interests.”

The organization acknowledges that the people have the right to be outraged, but urges everyone to channel this "righteous indignation into a constructive path” in order to "eradicate corruption in all its forms, including those found in our daily lives."

Ultimately, UCCRO called for preventing political confrontation: “Our determination in this struggle must not cross the boundaries of state law, let alone undermine statehood itself.”

Earlier, UOJ reported that UCCRO supported continuing the persecution of the UOC.

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