In Bila Tserkva, man nearly killed for greeting "Christ is risen!"

The accused stabbed a Christian for a Paschal greeting. Photo: Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office

In the city of Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, two young men attempted to kill a 35-year-old believer for greeting those around him with the traditional Christian Paschal greeting "Christ is risen!" This was reported by the Bila Tserkva District Prosecutor's Office.

The incident occurred on the night of Bright Monday, April 13. The victim entered a local establishment and addressed those present with the Easter greeting. This angered a 19-year-old visitor who professes a different religion. An argument arose between the men, during which the younger of the attackers decided to kill his Christian opponent.

According to the investigation, the young man called his 23-year-old acquaintance – also a representative of another religion – and suggested they "deal with it" together. He came to the scene with a knife and handed it to his accomplice. The perpetrators then pursued the victim, caught up with him, knocked him down and held him by force.

After this, the 19-year-old attacker stabbed the man several times in the abdomen and neck. Having made sure that the opponent had stopped showing signs of life, the criminals fled the scene. However, the victim was saved – doctors provided him with timely medical assistance. He is currently still in hospital.

At the prosecutor's request, the court chose detention without the right to post bail as a preventive measure for the suspects. If their guilt is proven, the young men face life imprisonment.

The attackers have been notified of suspicion of completed attempted premeditated murder committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons and motivated by religious intolerance (Part 2 of Article 15, paragraphs 12, 14 of Part 2 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

"Religion cannot be justification for violence. When a dispute over beliefs escalates into attempted murder – this is already a serious crime for which one will have to answer according to the law. The Prosecutor's Office will respond in principle to such manifestations of aggression," stated the head of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, Dmytro Prokudyn.

The Prosecutor's Office does not name the religious affiliation of the accused. The photos show men with tanned skin, black curly hair and beards.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zelensky congratulated Muslims on Ramadan Bayram.

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