Activists attack UOC lawyers during Upper Lavra court hearing

Radicals staged another provocation against UOC lawyers. Photo: Archpriest Nikita Chekman’s Telegram channel

UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman reported another incident of what he described as systematic pressure, insults, and threats by radicals against attorneys carrying out their professional duties in defending the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in court.

According to the lawyer, the latest provocation occurred during a court hearing in the Upper Lavra case. When proceedings were suspended because of an air raid alert, the attorneys went into a coffee shop. Radicals soon arrived at the scene, blocked the lawyers inside the building, shouted insults at them, and attempted to physically intimidate them.

“We are reaching a new level of lawlessness because actions are taking place that are completely unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law,” Archpriest Nikita Chekman said. “Aggressive individuals are directly threatening lawyers. This is, in effect, outright persecution of attorneys for doing their lawful work.”

According to Chekman, the group was led by radical Davyd Pshenychnyi, who is known for firing a weapon during the seizure of the cathedral in Cherkasy and against whom a criminal complaint had previously been filed. Although Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi District Court ordered law enforcement authorities to enter information about a pretrial investigation into the Unified Register, Chekman said Pshenychnyi continues to engage in unlawful actions against the lawyers.

The attorneys were forced to call police to the scene, after which the provocateurs quickly left the premises.

“We informed the police officers that we intend to file another criminal complaint and told them about the response of the Ukrainian National Bar Association,” Archpriest Nikita Chekman said.

The lawyer stressed that during the court proceedings, the defense will ask the court to formally respond to the intimidation of attorneys.

“Lawyers are effectively being intimidated and pressured into abandoning the professional duties assigned to them under Ukrainian law. I appeal to the legal community and law enforcement agencies not to allow such lawlessness. Thank you to all our brothers and sisters for your prayers and support – God is with us!”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the court obliged the police to open a case over pressure on a UOC lawyer.

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