UOC lawyer urges police to prevent provocations at upcoming court hearing

The team of UOC lawyers. Photo: Nikita Chekman's Telegram channel

UOC lawyers have filed requests with law enforcement agencies asking them to ensure the safety of the legal team and maintain public order during the next court hearing in the Kyiv Metropolia case. This was reported by UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman on his Telegram channel.

On October 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., Kyiv’s Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal will hear DESS’s lawsuit seeking the dissolution of the UOC Kyiv Metropolia. In light of documented attempts to exert pressure on the lawyers and repeated interference with their work, UOC representatives asked law enforcement to keep the situation surrounding the proceedings under control and prevent provocations.

“In connection with provocations and obstruction of attorneys’ professional activities, representatives of the UOC Kyiv Metropolia filed the appropriate reports with law enforcement agencies, asking them to ensure public safety and order and to prevent pressure on the lawyers during the court proceedings,” Archpriest Nikita Chekman said.

Radicals had previously staged a provocation against UOC lawyers during court proceedings concerning the Upper Lavra. During a recess prompted by an air-raid alert, a group led by David Pshenichny, known for firing a gun during the seizure of the cathedral in Cherkasy, blocked the lawyers inside a coffee shop, shouting threats and attempting to physically intimidate them. The lawyers were forced to call the police.
As the UOJ previously reported, a bar association condemned pressure by radicals on a UOC attorney.

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