Chekman: Only UOC priests are prosecuted for statements about another faith

Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Photo: UOJ

The UOC lawyer, Father Nikita Chekman, stated that numerous complaints from UOC believers about insulting their feelings are ignored. However, the slightest criticism of the actions of representatives of the OCU increasingly leads priests, journalists, and UOC believers to the defendant's bench. He made these remarks in a conversation with the head of the NGO Public Advocacy, Oleg Denisov, published on the NGO Public Advocacy YouTube channel.

Father Nikita mentioned that he is handling the case of the rector of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), who, like other UOC hierarchs, is accused under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of inciting interfaith discord and insulting the feelings of OCU believers.

"Our law enforcement officers like to charge this article only against UOC clergy for their statements about the OCU," he noted, adding that at the same time, all complaints filed by representatives of the UOC about the insult to their feelings are ignored. 

The lawyer noted that any statements by UOC priests about the OCU are almost immediately subjected to linguistic expertise. However, he is not aware of a single case of linguistic analysis of the rhetoric of OCU clergy regarding the UOC.

"We see cynicism and double standards in all this," he said.

The lawyer cited the case of Archpriest Sergiy Chertylin: "Activists who come to the Lavra every day, and against whom we file complaints alsmost every day for insulting the feelings of UOC believers acted as witnesses in court against the UOC priest."

He also reminded that in the accusation brought against Father Sergiy, the OCU was designated as being an "attribute of statehood".

"When there is justified criticism of illegal and unlawful actions of representatives of a specific organization – the OCU in this case, the authoritiies immediately spot 'signs of a crime' and 'undermining national security'," Father Nikita said during the trial.

Summing up his thought during the interview, the lawyer said, "It turns out that for any criticism of the OCU, a person is automatically accused under all articles. First, it was Article 161 of the Criminal Code, and now they are incriminating state treason to everyone."

As reported by the UOJ, UOC lawyers recorded video evidence for international organizations.

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