Journalist faces criminal case for insulting UOC
Bohdan Butkevych. Photo: News-pravda
The Shevchenkivskyi Police Department of Kyiv has opened a criminal case against journalist Bohdan Butkevych for inciting religious hatred, reports Archpriest Nikita Chekman on his Telegram channel.
The criminal proceedings were opened pursuant to a ruling of the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of the capital, issued in the interests of Archpriest Mykyta Chekman, who defends the rights of UOC believers and communities. The grounds for the appeal to law enforcement authorities were Butkevych's scandalous statements on the air of the radio station KyivFM.
During the program, the journalist made crude insults against the clergy and parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, called clerics "FSB officers" and "bastards," and declared his readiness to become an "executioner" in a trial against the UOC.
In addition, the broadcast included attacks on lawyers who defend the UOC in court, including direct accusations against Archpriest Nikita Chekman.
The lawyer reminded that freedom of speech does not exempt one from liability for violating the law and infringing on the rights of believers.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that during the same broadcast on KyivFM, activist Maryna Koval accused UOC lawyers of defending traitors.
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