Russia demands the immediate release of Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), deputy of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, who was detained on suspicion of inciting inter-religious hatred and supporting the actions of the Russian Federation. This is officially stated expression Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The department noted that the metropolitan figure acquired the image of a martyr for the Orthodox faith, in connection with which the words of President Volodymyr Zelensky about Ukraine as a country with the greatest religious freedom are the pinnacle of cynicism.
“We demand the immediate release of Metropolitan Pavel and the provision of appropriate medical assistance to him,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The ministry also stressed that Kiev pursues a policy of moral terror against Ukrainians and believers.
The situation around the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra escalated after the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine informed the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the unilateral termination of the monastery’s lease, the monks were asked to leave the Lavra on March 29. Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said the monks can stay in the Lavra, provided they are transferred to the schismatic Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
On April 1, a Kiev court appointed Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), the governor of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, a restraining measure in the form of house arrest for two months and a ban on addressing believers.
Inspectors before interrogated Governor of Kyiv-Pechersk.