Lavra's lawyer: Our judges do not make independent decisions

Judge Iryna Prykhodko. Photo: "Supreme Council of Justice" Facebook

In litigation around the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, judges cannot make independent decisions, since they are subjected to strong administrative pressure, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, Lavra's lawyer, said on his telegram channel.

“There was no objectivity or legality (regarding the trial about the fate of the monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra – Ed.) We saw that Judge Prikhodko helped the plaintiffs answer uncomfortable questions and drive the Monastery’s side into a dead corner,” said the lawyer.

According to him, Judge Iryna Prikhodko “has repeatedly shown her prejudice in this case.”

“We are not saying that she is bad or wants to make illegal decisions. But she was forced to do it. We see what is happening in our country. We see how the administrative machinery is engaged to put pressure on judges. And judges now do not make independent decisions, to our great regret,” the lawyer summed up.

He said that despite the information provided to the judge that the next day the case for the defense of Metropolitan Pavel would be considered, this "did not prevent her from scheduling a hearing for that day at 13:00."

“We already understand what the solution will be. They don’t want to hear us, they don’t listen to us, but we are nevertheless doing everything in our power to protect the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra,” the lawyer said.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to the lawyer, the Reserve confirmed that it wants to expel the monks from the Lavra.

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