UOC community of vlg. Stavok wins case on quarantine violation

The court has found no violations in the actions of the UOC community. Photo: infranken.de

On July 25, 2020, the Kostopil District Court examined the administrative case opened against the rector of the St. Nicholas community of the UOC in vlg, Stavok of the Kostopil district, Rivne region, in connection with an alleged violation of the coronavirus quarantine, reports a UOJ correspondent.

As the rector of the community Fr. Fedor Ksendziuk explained, this refers to the memorial service he performed on April 28 with the participation of parishioners.

“Events took place on April 28, people really gathered for worship, but not in large numbers and subject to all quarantine conditions: masks, social distance, etc.,” said Fr. Fedor. “But one of the local activists of the OCU decided that this was not so, he called the police, and they drew up a protocol according to which we were to pay a fine.”

Believers of the UOC categorically disagreed with such actions by law enforcement officers, refused to testify, filmed what was happening and turned to lawyers.

During the hearing of the administrative case, the Kostopil District Court revealed violations by the police who arrived that day in the village of Stavok on call, in particular when drawing up the protocol.

Upon consideration of the case, the court closed the administrative proceedings in connection with the absence of an offense on the part of the UOC community, so it will not pay a fine of 17 thousand hryvnias.

As reported earlier, Ukraine is tightening control over compliance with quarantine restrictions.

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