Amsterdam discusses seizure of UOC Cathedral in Cherkasy with Met Theodosiy
American lawyer for the UOC condemns the raid on the Cherkasy Cathedral, pointing to links with the SBU.
Human rights defender and American lawyer for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Robert Amsterdam, issued a statement on X, condemning the recent "malicious attack" on the Cherkasy Cathedral, calling it violent and illegal. According to him, the attack was carried out by a group of armed individuals known to be linked to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
The lawyer also reported that he had spoken with Metropolitan Theodosiy, who provided detailed testimony about the events. "His testimony about these events leaves no room for any justification of the illegal actions by the Ukrainian government and its failure to protect the human rights of its citizens," the lawyer noted in his post.
On his X account, Amsterdam posted a video with footage of the seizure of the UOC's Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy, along with Metropolitan Theodosiy's comments regarding the takeover of the Orthodox shrine.
I had the opportunity to speak with Metropolitan Theodosius following the violent illegal raid on the Cherkassy Cathedral by a group of armed thugs known to be linked to the SBU.
— Robert Amsterdam (@robertamsterdam) October 21, 2024
His testimony of these events leave no room for any excuses of the Ukrainian government's illegal… pic.twitter.com/jXGhXsnE3h
Earlier, UOJ followers shared how church raiders forcefully seized the cathedral in Cherkasy.