Yelensky on Kyiv Metropolia case: We oppose participation of UOC “believers”
Viktor Yelensky. Photo: DESS
Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), said his agency opposes allowing third parties to participate in the court proceedings concerning the Kyiv Metropolia, questioning whether they are even members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
According to Yelensky, the Metropolia's lawyers are attempting to delay consideration of the case on its merits by bringing third parties into the proceedings. He also questioned whether those seeking to join the case are genuine UOC believers and whether they understand the substance of the order issued by the authorities.
“They are sent a standard application form, which they then submit to the court, and the judge reads out hundreds of names. The judge then asks our lawyers whether they object to these individuals participating in the proceedings. We are not convinced that they are actually UOC believers, and, to put it mildly, we are not convinced that they are familiar with the contents of the order. That is why we object.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UOC's legal defense team had described Yelensky's statements as an attempt to undermine the right to a fair hearing.
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