A priest in Transcarpathia suspected of communism propaganda

SBU and police officers conducting a search at the UOC priest's residence. Photo: facebook.com/ssu.uzhhorod

The priest of the UOC from Transcarpathia is suspected of " disseminating and publicly using prohibited symbols of the communist totalitarian regime", reports the press service of the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor's Office.

It was noted that the clergyman posted images with communist symbols on his social media accounts, including "congratulating users on Great Victory Day".

"During the search conducted at the suspect's premises, computer equipment with evidence of illegal activities was discovered and seized, as well as materials and literature of a pro-Russian nature that could be used for propaganda among the population," the Prosecutor's Office reported.

Commenting on the issuance of the suspicion, the SBU stated that the priest "tried in every possible way to prevent the community from transitioning to the OCU".

According to ‘Ukrainska Pravda” (UP), this concerns the rector of one of the churches in the Khust Eparchy of the UOC, Fr Venedikt Khromei.

Law enforcers issued a suspicion to the priest under Part 1, Article 436-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the sanction of which provides for imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with or without confiscation of property.

As reported, the Synod of the UOC condemned the searches conducted by the SBU in eparchies, during which leaflets and symbols that had never been there before were found.

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