AG receives a statement about Poroshenko inciting religious hatred

Poroshenko at the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra at a 'service' of the OCU. Photo: Poroshenko’s social media

On 22 July 2024, representatives of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra sent a report to the Office of the Attorney General about a criminal offence committed by MP Petro Poroshenko. This information was shared by UOC lawyer, Fr Nikita Chekman, on his Telegram channel.

The lawyer explained that the indicated criminal offence (Article 161, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) was committed under the following circumstances: on 15 July, an article titled "Poroshenko Prays for Ukraine's Victory at the Lavra and Calls to Ban the FSB-affiliated Moscow Church" was published on the 'Vysoky Zamok' news outlet’s page.

"Thus, Petro Poroshenko expresses his commitment to the religious association of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, supports the decision of religious communities to change the subordination of religious communities from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, denigrates and vilifies the honor and dignity of citizens based on their religious beliefs in the form of slander and persecution, calls for incitement of religious discord and hatred by comparing the Church to the law enforcement and security agencies of a hostile state and incites religious enmity," the statement said.

According to the lawyer, these statements cause particular harm to religious organisations within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as they contribute to religious discord in Ukrainian society, and the spread of false information directly threatens the national interests of the state.

As reported by the UOJ, Poroshenko was outraged in the Rada: “Why the hell isn't the church law put to a vote?”

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