SBU inquires into actions of Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)

SBU inquires into actions of Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)

Information on the violation of religious equality of citizens by certain representatives of Zaporizhia diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), the public organization 'Orthodox Union Radomir' and unidentified persons are included in the Single Register of Pretrial Investigations, this case is in the investigative department of the Office of the Security Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhia region.

"On January 11, 2018, information under Part 3 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds) was entered in the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations regarding the commission by certain representatives of Zaporizhia Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), NGO 'Orthodox Union Radomir' and other unidentified persons deliberate actions aimed at inciting national, religious animosities and hatred, insult the feelings of citizens in connection with their religious beliefs, which entailed grave consequences in the form of clashes and riots in Zaporizhia region and other regions of Ukraine," the press secretary of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Larysa Sarhan wrote on Facebook.

To ensure a quick and effective study of the circumstances, the SBU in Zaporizhia region under the procedural direction of a group of prosecutors of Zaporizhia region's Prosecutor's Office investigates this case. Pretrial investigation is ongoing, priority investigative actions are being carried out.