Baptist pastor sentenced for refusing mobilization

Court. Photo: armenpress.am

The Horodenka District Court in Ivano-Frankivsk region sentenced a Baptist pastor to three years in prison for refusing mobilization, but suspended the sentence and released him from serving it with a probation period, Halychyna reports.

In October 2024, the defendant reported to the local military recruitment office and underwent a medical examination. Doctors found him fit for service in support units. Several days later, officials issued the pastor a mobilization summons ordering him to report to a training center, but he refused to accept the document. On the appointed day, he failed to report to the military unit and stopped answering phone calls.

During the trial, the pastor initially denied guilt but later said he repented. He explained that he had refused because he could not leave the religious community for which he bore pastoral responsibility. The defense submitted documents showing his active volunteer work.

In the summer of 2025, the pastor took part in constructing defensive fortifications in Dnipropetrovsk region as part of tasks carried out by the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group. He is also raising two minor children, while the teachings of his religious organization prohibit the use of weapons against another person.

The court cited a Supreme Court ruling stating that believers may not refuse military service on religious grounds. At the same time, the judge noted that the military command should take the man’s religious convictions into account during his service.

The court qualified his actions under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. For one year, the convicted man must regularly report to the probation authorities, notify them of any change of employment, and obtain permission to travel abroad.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Ukrainian Baptists had published a list of fellow believers who had been forcibly mobilized.

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