Lawyer of UOC: Court postponed to deny UOC priest access to justice

Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Photo: Screenshot of video t.me/nikita_chekman

The court hearing regarding the change in preventive measures for UOC priest Serhiy Chertylin was postponed to a date after the expiration of his current detention period. Father Serhiy's lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, shared this after the court session on May 30, 2024.

"There is every reason to believe that this is being done intentionally so that Father Serhiy cannot access justice and appeal the illegal decision of the Solomiansky District Court investigative judge," the lawyer suggested.

He reminded that during the previous session, before the decision to extend Father Serhiy's detention was made, there was documented pressure on the judge from law enforcement officers.

"Father Serhiy has already filed a disciplinary complaint against Judge Voronkin because, while he was in the deliberation room, a prosecutor and an investigator approached him. They had a conversation, after which the judge came out and announced the decision to extend Father Serhiy Chertylin's detention," noted Archpriest Nikita.

However, according to the defense, the court chose this path to "wash their hands and not consider the case until the appeal of this ruling loses its relevance (the term expires)."

The UOC lawyer also reported that the priest is currently in the medical unit of the Kyiv pre-trial detention center.

"His health is deteriorating, and in this regard, the defense has submitted appropriate requests to determine his current health condition," he added.

As the UOJ previously reported, the lawyers of Father Serhiy Chertylin are filing a complaint regarding pressure on the judge.

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