Amsterdam: Ukraine uses judiciary as an instrument of torture of UOC clergy

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar). Photo: x.com/robertamsterdam

On October 31, American lawyer Robert Amsterdam responded to the situation during a court hearing involving Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny. The human rights advocate wrote on his X account, condemning the Ukrainian authorities’ use of the judicial system as a tool for torturing and intimidating clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

“We are informed that Metropolitan Longin, who has long suffered serious medical ailments, experienced a heart attack during one of his extended hearings related to his show trial. He was rushed to emergency care,” he informed his followers.

Robert Amsterdam emphasized his belief that the charges brought against Metropolitan Longin and other clergymen are false.

“We completely denounce these false charges brought against Longin and others, and denounce Ukraine's use of the judicial system as an instrument of torture and intimidation of the UOC clergy.,” the lawyer stated. “President Zelenskyy should hang his head in shame over the abuse and mistreatment of Orthodox Christians which has been enabled by Law 3894.”

As previously reported by the UOJ, the defender of the UOC hierarch noted that Metropolitan Longin’s health has significantly deteriorated during the court proceedings.

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