Yelensky complains that UOC brings in foreign lawyers for defense

V. Yelensky. Photo: "Ukrinform"

The head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Viktor Yelensky stated that the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC allegedly deliberately delays the court proceedings regarding the case on fulfilling the agency's directive. During a press conference for "Ukrinform", the official complained that due to the defense's actions, the court has still not begun considering the case on its merits.

Yelensky's main dissatisfaction was caused by the Metropolis's involvement of foreign lawyers who, according to his information, are registered on "lobbyist websites." The head of DESS did not specify what these websites are. He complained that the UOC spends resources on paying for legal services "to remain part of the Moscow Patriarchate."

At the same time, Yelensky's position regarding the protection of believers' rights appears selective. Earlier, the UOJ wrote that DESS reprimanded TSN for a story about Muslims for "stigmatization based on faith".

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