Metropolitan Jonathan speaks about a deal offer from a police official

Metropolitan Jonathan listens to the verdict. Photo: politarena

Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn said that he had received "a strange proposal to make a deal with a certain Kyiv high police official through the latter's messenger." This is reported by the website of the Tulchyn Eparchy.

According to the metropolitan, the official's messenger said, "that with due ‘mutual understanding’" at a personal meeting with his boss in Kyiv, "there may not be a trial in his case." As reported in the press service of the diocese, "the messenger did not specify where and what court may not take place."

Metropolitan Jonathan told the clergy of the diocese, which "declared full confidence in their ruling bishop", about this planned deal.

The press service of the diocese recalled that “Vinnytsia City Court, contrary to the obvious facts presented by the defense side – lawyers who announced official forgery: criminal stuffing of the so-called material evidence, such as leaflets in the Metropolitan's dwelling and three files with leaflets in the Metropolitan's computer, previously confiscated by the investigation, unexpectedly sentenced Metropolitan Jonathan (b. 1949) to 5 years in prison.”

Metropolitan Jonathan is sure that "the wrong, biased verdict of the Vinnytsia city court dealt a powerful blow to the people's trust in the Ukrainian legal system." The bishop hopes that the Court of Appeal will “have courage to correct the probably forced mistake of the primary court, relying on the facts previously recorded by this court, rather than on the conjectures of the prosecution.”

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Metropolitan of Tulchyn fears for his life and health.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.