Father Serhiy: I'm judged for being a UOC priest and to intimidate others

Archpriest Serhiy Chertylin in court on May 8, 2024. Photo: screenshot from the video t.me/save_Lavra

In his speech in court on May 8, Archpriest of the UOC Serhiy Chertylin stated that during his two months in pre-trial detention, he realized: "I am not being judged for my activities, but for being a priest of a certain confession."

Archpriest Serhiy, once again responding to the prosecutor's accusations, explained that he is not a leader or coordinator of Myrinay, KozakTv1 or UOJ. He believes that he is simply being judged for being a priest of the UOC.

Also, he suspects that the purpose of his detention is to intimidate believers ahead of the possible adoption of bill No. 8371 banning the UOC.

"Madam prosecutor admitted that the reason I am here is the adoption of bill 8371. They need to exclude some people to intimidate others... those who go to churches. To show: 'Look, if you don't obey us, you can easily be accused of treason... and you'll spend your life in prison,'" Father Serhiy said.

As the UOJ reported, the lawyer for Fr. Serhiy Chertylin provided details of the court proceedings.

Also, the court again sent the UOJ journalists back to pre-trial detention.

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