SBU: Criminal cases against UOC hierarchs are not pressure on the Church

SBU. Photo: korrespondent.net

In response to a request from the publication RBK-Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) disclosed that criminal proceedings have been initiated against more than 100 clergymen, almost 50 of whom have been charged, and 25 have received court sentences.

The clergymen are accused of collaborationism, treason, aiding the aggressor country, promoting totalitarian regimes, justifying aggression, assisting in illegal border crossings and other offences.

"The overwhelming majority of the suspects are representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)," the SBU stated in their commentary. The security agency also emphasized that these actions are taken by the state to protect itself from Russia.

"The ongoing criminal proceedings have nothing to do with pressure on the church environment but are a manifestation of the SBU's systematic counteraction to the harmful influence of Russian special services and their agents on the situation in Ukraine. One of the indications of the close cooperation between certain UOC (MP) priests and Russia is their agreement to be exchanged after being convicted and sentenced in Ukraine. These swaps highlight the value of such individuals to the Russian side," the SBU noted.

As reported by the UOJ, on August 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in his evening address that he held a meeting on a "decision that will strengthen our spiritual independence".

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