Since February 2022, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has opened 68 criminal cases against clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), including on charges of collaboration with the Russian Federation.
“Based on materials from the SBU, 68 criminal cases were initiated against representatives of the UOC, 14 of which were metropolitans of the church,” the ministry said on its Telegram channel.
The crimes include 20 facts such as treason, collaboration, complicity with Russia, as well as public propaganda of religious hatred, arms sales and other crimes.
Charges were brought against 26 representatives of the UOC, and 19 were sentenced to prison. Two convicted clergy were replaced by captured Ukrainian military personnel.
Recently, Ukrainian authorities have begun mass closures of churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, imposing sanctions and filing charges against clergy, citing the UOC’s connection with Russia. Local governments in different regions of Ukraine decided to completely ban the activities of the UOC, and a bill was submitted to the Ukrainian parliament to effectively ban it throughout the country.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his doubtsIf the relevant issue is put to vote, 226 votes will be required in the parliament to ban the activities of the UOC.
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Source: Gazeta
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