Met. Theodosiy links his criminal case to ex-prosecutor named in NABU tapes
Court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy. Photo: 18000.com.ua
During a court hearing in Cherkasy, Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv asked the court to take into account circumstances involving Maksym Shtompel, a former prosecutor with the Cherkasy Regional Prosecutor’s Office, when assessing the evidence in his case, 18000 reports.
According to the UOC hierarch, it was Shtompel who questioned him, oversaw the preparation of the notice of suspicion, signed it and personally served it on him following searches at the eparchial bishop’s residence.
The hierarch referred to materials published by journalists from the NABU and SAPO investigation codenamed “Carthage,” in which the former prosecutor appears on audio recordings discussing regular payments for “resolving issues” in the region.
“I have no doubt that it was precisely this practice of resolving issues for money that led, among other things, to my being served with a notice of suspicion,” Metropolitan Theodosiy told the court.
The hierarch stressed that what he described as a fabricated notice of suspicion became the basis for the current proceedings and asked the court to take these circumstances into account when reaching its decision. Judge Oleksandra Homeniuk noted that the defendant would be able to present this position in detail during questioning and closing arguments.
The hierarch’s attorney, Volodymyr Yudin, in turn questioned the reliability of key prosecution records, pointing to discrepancies in their timestamps: one archived page was created at 9:39 a.m., while according to the document, the investigative action did not begin until 10:00 a.m.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the court once again extended Metropolitan Theodosiy’s preventive measure for another two months – until November 29, 2026. The next hearing is scheduled for October 13.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the prosecutor in Metropolitan Theodosiy’s case was named in the NABU tapes.
Read also
Upper Lavra court hearing postponed
The next court hearing in the Upper Lavra case has been scheduled for November 3.
UOC priest blesses ambulances at Kamianske medical center
A UOC priest in Kamianske blessed ambulances for a medical facility and wished its doctors God's help in their work.
Dumenko to German ambassador: Law targeting UOC also applies to other groups
Epifaniy Dumenko sought to defend Ukraine’s law restricting religious organizations during a meeting with the German ambassador.
Activists bused to court hearings in UOC cases, media say
A minibus has been spotted transporting protesters to and from courthouses where UOC cases are being heard.
Firefighters save historic UOC church from fire in Zakarpattia
A fire broke out at a UOC church in the Tiachiv district, damaging the altar and church furnishings.
Volyn Eparchy faithful collect six tons of aid for Sviatohirsk Lavra
Believers in Volyn collected food and warm clothing for people displaced by the war who have found shelter at Sviatohirsk Lavra.