Lawyer claims police inaction in case of beating of believers in Cherkasy
The attack of OCU raiders on UOC believers in Cherkasy. Photo: spzh.media
The head of the Legal Department of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC Archpriest Georgy Pohranichny said that investigators are inactive and do not perform their functions in the case of beating the believers of the UOC during the seizure of the Church of the Nativity of the All-Holy Theotokos in Cherkasy on 20 November 2023. The lawyer said this in an interview published on the Telegram channel "Dozor_Kozak1".
According to him, a total of five criminal cases were opened after the seizure of the monastery, of which two – on the fact of medium bodily injury, two more – on the fact of light injuries and one case – on the fact of forgery of documents during the re-registration of the temple.
The head of the Legal Department also noted that the lawyers are now petitioning for reclassification of one of the cases on the infliction of bodily injuries from light to medium severity.
"At present, the investigators have interviewed almost all the victims except one. It is not quite clear how the investigator is working. It's already March, and the investigator still hasn't contacted the lawyer in any way, the lawyer contacted him himself. <...> Investigators and law enforcers do not make contact at all. Out of all five cases, there is one investigator who is more or less cooperating, while the others give a "verbal reply" that the lawsuit is on and the case is being considered. But what exactly is being considered in this case, why the persons listed in the statement as the attackers were not interrogated, this is what the investigators are silent about, they don't say anything at all," he said.
In addition, Father Georgy stated that lawyers are not even allowed to familiarize themselves with the materials of the cases on the beating of believers, which are being conducted under the supervision of the military Prosecutor's Office.
"In the beginning, law enforcement responded much faster because we submitted not just statements, but a whole package with expert examinations on the victims and corresponding documents that confirmed it. It seems to me that there is nothing else in the folder of the investigation on each case except our documents. The whole situation points to the investigators' inaction," the eparchy spokesperson added.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.