The Security Service of Ukraine reported via its Telegram channel that new questions were raised to the rector of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Pavel Lebed. The agency stated that the metropolitan gave a video interview to a media outlet in which he questioned Ukraine’s status as a sovereign nation and described the events in Ukraine as an internal conflict that has persisted since 2014.
Investigators from the SBU informed Lebed of a fresh suspicion under laws that prohibit religious affiliation from being used to infringe on the equality of citizens. The charges also allege that the Russian Federation justifies its actions. If found guilty, the metropolitan faces up to eight years in prison for property confiscation connected to the case.
At present, authorities are determining whether Lebed should be kept in detention as a precautionary measure, and investigative procedures continue to unfold.
Earlier the Kiev court extended the approval of house arrest for Metropolitan Pavel, who leads the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church side, by another two months.
There are ongoing discussions among former Ukrainian authorities regarding the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and its governance.