KCC Commission head: We have enough political will to demolish UOC churches

Kyiv Council deputy Andriy Vitrenko. Photo: sluga-narodu.com

Kyiv City Council Deputy from the "Servant of the People" party, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Budget and Socio-Economic Development Andriy Vitrenko is confident that the city government will ensure the implementation of the Kyiv City Council decision to demolish "illegally constructed" UOC churches if adopted. Vitrenko made this statement in a comment to kiev.informator.ua.

"There is a draft decision, it is on the agenda of the session," said the deputy. "It was not voted on at the previous meeting due to the quorum 'falling apart' after the air raid alarm – deputies gathered for a long time. <...> This project will definitely be considered, and I am confident that it can indeed be supported. And I am sure it will be implemented."

When asked whether there is enough political will to dismantle the UOC churches and chapels in the capital, he confirmed that "there is enough will" and emphasized that "there is an executive body – Kyiv City State Administration – which must implement everything that we (deputies - Ed.) adopt."

Vitrenko clarified that the relevant decision could be made at the next session of the city council.

As reported by the UOJ, on January 18, 2024, Kyiv City Council planned to consider a draft decision "on the peculiarities of releasing" communal land plots "illegally occupied and built by religious organizations (associations) whose governing center (management) is located outside Ukraine in a state recognized by law as having committed military aggression against Ukraine and/or temporarily occupying part of the territory of Ukraine or having canonical and prayer connections with religious organizations of the aggressor country."

According to the project, the Department of Land Resources of Kyiv City State Administration together with the district state administrations of Kyiv should check 74 land plots in the possession of the UOC and determine the legality of the construction of churches on them. If the churches do not have the necessary permits, they will be dismantled "at the expense of persons who allowed unauthorized placement or construction."

In case of refusal by the UOC to demolish the churches, the city authorities will do it themselves, and the bill will be presented to the religious communities.

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