Reports Allege Force Used in Detention of UOC Priest
A detained Ukrainian cleric’s reported transfer to military custody has raised fresh concerns over treatment and religious freedom.
ZHYTOMYR, UKRAINE — Police officers detained Hieromonk Ilya, rector of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the village of Novi Vorobi, and transferred him to staff of a Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC), according to reports citing the Pershyi Kozatskyi Telegram channel.
Sources allege that force was used during the detention, including the reported use of pepper spray against the clergyman. Following the incident, he was said to have experienced prolonged physical distress and requested medical assistance, but a doctor was not provided for him at the recruitment center.
According to the same reports, Hieromonk Ilya has since been sent to the 95th Air Assault Brigade and is being held on the premises of a military unit.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC priest was detained after refusing sniper duty.
