In Kyiv, the court extended the house arrest of the governor of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Pavel for 60 days

The Solomensky District Court of Kyiv extended the house arrest of the vicar of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Pavel (Lebed), by two months. He is accused under Part 1 of Art. 161 (violation of the equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, regional affiliation) and Part 1 of Art. 436-2 (justification, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian edition Strana.ua, during the period of house arrest, Metropolitan Pavel is forbidden to leave his house, use the Internet and cellular communications, and communicate with anyone other than his close relatives. Also, the governor of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is required to wear an electronic bracelet.

Representatives of the clergyman’s defense told reporters that they are going to file an appeal against the court’s decision to extend the term of the Metropolitan’s house arrest.

On April 1, the Security Service of Ukraine opened a criminal case against Metropolitan Pavlo due to suspicions of “cooperation with Russia and interreligious incitement.” He was placed under house arrest for two months. He himself considers his arrest a “political order.” Instead, the service of the UOC in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was headed by Metropolitan Onufry. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, after initiating a criminal case against Metropolitan Pavel, said that the authorities were keeping the situation related to the “spiritual independence” of the country under control.

Read more about the church schism in Ukraine and the case of Metropolitan Pavel in the publication “Kommersant” “Kiev-Pechersk wound”.

Alexander Kislov