Ukrainian Officials Respond to Detention of UOC Priest

LUTSK, UKRAINE — Military authorities in Ukraine's Volyn Region have defended the detention and mobilization of Archpriest John Kuzminskyi, rector of a parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), after videos of the incident prompted public scrutiny and an official inquiry by the regional representative of the Ukrainian Parliament's Human Rights Commissioner.

The Volyn Regional Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) said the encounter occurred on July 23 during a document inspection conducted by military personnel and a police officer. According to the agency, Fr. John attempted to flee upon seeing the patrol, entered a store to avoid the inspection, refused to provide personal information, behaved aggressively, and tried to leave the scene. Officials said he was then escorted to a service vehicle, adding that bystanders used physical force in an effort to interfere with the actions of recruitment officers.

The TRC stated that after his identity was established, it was determined that Fr. John was registered for military service in the Zhytomyr Region and was subject to mobilization. Authorities said he subsequently underwent a military medical examination, was declared fit for service, and was transferred to a Ukrainian Armed Forces training center to begin basic military training.

Meanwhile, attorneys representing Fr. John have filed complaints with the State Bureau of Investigation and the police, alleging that he was abducted. The Ombudsman's Office in the Volyn Region has opened an inquiry after footage appeared to show the priest being carried from a building by his arms and legs before being placed into a vehicle. According to parishioners and eyewitnesses, he may have suffered injuries during the detention. Officials said the investigation will determine whether the actions of those involved complied with Ukrainian law.

Previously, the UOJ reported that reports claimed a UOC priest was taken by military recruitment officials in the Volyn region.