Metr. Arseniy’s Custody Prolonged Despite Health Warnings
Despite serious health concerns, a Ukrainian court extended Metr. Arseniy’s detention and denied his transfer for specialized medical care.
DNIPRO, UKRAINE — The Chechelivskyi District Court of Dnipro on January 20–21 extended the pre-trial detention of Metr. Arseniy of Sviatohirsk, abbot of the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra, for an additional 60 days, according to the Lavra’s official website.
The hierarch participated in the hearings via video link. On January 20, which marked the 31st anniversary of his appointment as abbot, Metr. Arseniy told the court that he requires heart surgery following prolonged detention.
During the January 21 session, a Kyiv-based professor of medicine who prepared an expert opinion on the Metropolitan’s health sharply criticized local medical care, stating that Dnipro doctors “have shown themselves to be absolutely incompetent.” He said the case requires specialized clinics, inpatient treatment, and rehabilitation, warning that current medications “not only do not help – they cause harm.” The judge denied hospitalization in Kyiv, though the defense secured a public broadcast of the hearings.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Arseniy's blood pressure soared during trial, forcing postponement.
