Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebed), deputy of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, whom the Security Service of Ukraine accused of violating the equality of citizens on religious grounds and justifying the actions of the Russian Federation, said that he did not have real estate and a car. . Part of the court session was broadcast by the Telegram channel “Orthodox Journalists Association”.
The priest stressed that he had nothing to lose. He also stressed that he knew that he would be “closed today” for allegedly meeting “witnesses” in the case, but that he did not meet with people whom the court prohibited from communicating.
At the meeting, the prosecutor’s office requested that Metropolitan Pavel be arrested by September 1 on bail of 60 million hryvnia ($ 1.64 million). Lawyer Nikita Chekman said the prosecutor’s petition violated the right to freedom of religion and the case was political.
At the end of March, the authorities terminated the lease for the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and demanded that the monks leave the monastery, but they refused to comply.
On April 1, the SBU blamed the Lavra governor-general and they opted for a preventive measure in the form of round-the-clock house arrest for 60 days, which was extended several times. Metropolitan Pavel himself stressedHe said the accusations against him were fabricated.
Former Ukrainian authorities emerging plans to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.