Orthodox journalist: The prosecution ignores UOJ articles criticizing Russia

Valeriy Stupnitsky in court. Photo: UOJ

UOJ journalist Valeriy Stupnitsky, during a session at the Solomiansky District Court on June 6, supported the defense's motion to disqualify a group of prosecutors handling the case against him and his colleagues. Among other things, he pointed out that the guilt of UOJ employees in denying Russian aggression has not been proven. Stupnitsky provided specific examples of what Orthodox journalists are being blamed for.

In particular, the allegations of manufacturing and distributing materials justifying the denial of Russian aggression are based on two publications quoting statements from Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church and Serbian Patriarch Irinej. Moreover, these publications have a news format and do not contain any comments from the editorial board.

"At the same time, my defense provided the judge and the prosecutor with dozens of examples of UOJ publications where the authors unequivocally condemn Russian aggression and criticize representatives of the Russian Church who support this aggression. But it so happened that the prosecution, the prosecutor's office, decided to 'overlook' these materials," said the Orthodox journalist.

In court, Stupnitsky quoted only a few of the dozens of UOJ publications criticizing Russia's position towards Ukraine and demonstrated the patriotic stance of the Union of Orthodox Journalists. He reminded that in 2020, the UOJ was awarded a prestigious prize in Poland for achievements in the field of church journalism, and since its inception in 2015, there have been no claims from law enforcement or government authorities against the resource.

"We support Ukraine, the Armed Forces, and condemn the war. All accusations, based on a few news publications, seem like accusing some central Ukrainian media outlet of treason and denying Russian aggression only because they quoted the heads of the aggressor country or politicians from other countries who support them," he said.

As reported by the UOJ, on June 7, the judge of the Solomiansky District Court of Kyiv granted the prosecution's motion and extended the pre-trial investigation period for another three months in the cases of UOJ journalists and UOC priest Serhiy Chertylin.

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