Court Extends Detention of Metropolitan Arseny by Two Months — Again
Defense Prepares Appeal as Legal Irregularities Surround Continued Imprisonment of UOC Hierarch
Slavyansk — On August 1, 2025, a preliminary hearing was held in the Slavyansk City District Court of the Donetsk Region concerning the case of Metropolitan Arseny. According to the press service of the Sviatogorsk Lavra, the judge extended the bishop's detention by 60 days—until September 29.
The hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church had been held in pre-trial detention for more than a week without any legal basis. As the defense noted, the ruling under which the Metropolitan was being held had expired on July 22.
"Under Ukrainian law, holding an individual in custody without a valid court ruling is impermissible, except in cases of arrest at the scene of a crime or immediately after it. Between July 22 and August 1, no official arrest of Metropolitan Arseny took place," the statement reads.
The bishop’s lawyers had repeatedly submitted motions to the investigating judge of the Chechelivskyi District Court of Dnipro—under whose jurisdiction the Dnipro pre-trial detention center falls—seeking the bishop's release. However, these motions remain unexamined to this day.
On August 1, at the request of the prosecutor, the court extended Metropolitan Arseny’s detention for another 60 days, until September 29, 2025, with no option for bail.
The court also denied all defense motions, including:
- a request to substitute the detention with personal surety from ten Members of Parliament of Ukraine,
- a motion to set bail, and
- other proposals for alternative measures of restraint.
The bishop’s legal team is preparing an appeal to the Dnipro Court of Appeals.
Meanwhile, a motion by the defense to the Chechelivskyi District Investigative Court for the release of Metropolitan Arseny from custody is scheduled for consideration on August 4 at 14:30.
The next hearing in the Slavyansk City District Court regarding Metropolitan Arseny’s case is set for September 10 at 13:00.
As a reminder, Metropolitan Arseny has been held in the Dnipro detention facility since April 25, 2024. The defense continues its legal battle for the hierarch’s release and asks the faithful for continued prayers on behalf of the imprisoned bishop.
Supporters of the Lavra can also contribute to the ongoing legal defense of the monastery’s abbot by making a donation, as they are able.
