> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://uoj.news/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Zhytomyr Appeals Court Overturns Conviction of UOC Priest
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86464-zhytomyr-appeals-court-overturns-conviction-of-uoc-priest/
- Published: 2026-02-17T07:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:11:47.000Z
- Description: A Ukrainian appellate court has overturned the conviction of a UOC cleric and ordered a retrial due to procedural violations.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, UOC, OCU, Arrests of clergy, Court ruling, Ukraine

**ZHYTOMYR, UKRAINE —** On February 5, 2026, the Zhytomyr Court of Appeal overturned a [prior ruling](https://t.me/nikita%5Fchekman/961) against Archpriest Vladyslav Smolynskyi of the Ovruch Eparchy of the UOC, who had been convicted under Part 1 of Article 436-2 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code for allegedly justifying Russian armed aggression.

The appellate court found significant violations of criminal procedural law in the earlier decision by the Radomyshl District Court. Among the concerns was the acceptance of an “investigative experiment” conducted at the regional office of the Security Service of Ukraine, which the defense argued amounted to a joint interrogation of witnesses without proper reconstruction of events.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/02/86467-uoc-community-celebrates-patronal-feast-in-basement-after-church-loss-image-35291173447a.jpg)On this topicUOC’s Metr. Theodosy Speaks on His Conviction](https://uoj.news/news/86431-uocs-metr-theodosy-speaks-on-his-conviction/)

Judges also noted the lower court failed to assess the admissibility of key evidence or establish intent and motive. The case will now be reheard on its merits in the district court.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/86159-ukrainian-orthodox-priest-detained-transferred-to-military-unit-wife-alleges-coercion/) that a Ukrainian priest was detained and transferred to a military unit under coercion.