Lawyer: The case against Lavra abbot is political

Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed) and Archpriest Nikita Chekman in court. Photo: pravda.com.ua

The criminal case against Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, is political, with the aim of removing the hierarch from the monastery's leadership, stated the lawyer of Metropolitan Pavel, Archpriest Nikita Chekman.

He said that during the investigation and court hearings, the prosecution representatives committed a series of violations, and the court displayed bias.

Specifically, in procedural documents, investigators, prosecutors, and experts deliberately use expressions such as "Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate," "Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine (ROCU)," "Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the omophorion of the Russian Orthodox Church," and "the so-called 'religious activities'". According to the lawyer, these are nothing more than attempts to create a "negative perception, evoke negative emotions, and hostility towards Metropolitan Pavel as a clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, parishioners, and the Church as a whole, by associating the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with the aggressor country."

In this regard, on May 29, during a court session, the defence of the Lavra abbot announced a criminal offence committed by the prosecution - "inciting religious enmity and hatred, insulting the feelings of citizens in connection of their religious beliefs, directly restricting the rights of citizens based on religious beliefs". The court promised to consider the motion but did not do so.

Furthermore, the court disregarded medical documents indicating that Metropolitan Pavel requires constant medical examinations due to serious chronic illnesses.

Additionally, the lawyer noted that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) personnel, without lawful grounds, conduct round-the-clock surveillance at the hierarch's residence. They summon all individuals who visit Metropolitan Pavel for questioning as witnesses and oblige them to refrain from communicating with the archpastor.

"Thus, not only Metropolitan Pavel is subjected to psychological pressure but also those around him. Besides imposing house arrest on the clergyman away from his place of residence, the prosecution even attempts to deprive him of communication with parishioners, spiritual children, and loyal members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," emphasized Father Nikita.

As reported, on May 29, the Solomenskyy District Court of Kyiv extended the house arrest of Metropolitan Pavel for 30 days.

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