Journalist: Why are we, not those beating UOC believers, accused of treason?

Journalist of UOJ Andriy Ovcharenko in court. Photo: UOJ

UOJ journalist Andriy Ovcharenko stated during a court session on June 10 that he categorically disagrees with the charges brought against him, particularly due to their absurdity.

Ovcharenko explained to the court that the prosecution's side is basing its "suspicion" on several news articles. However, according to journalistic standards, news is always a listing of facts and quotations from participants or experts.

According to him, journalists are being blamed for covering situations involving the seizure of temples of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the beating up of believers by representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

"It turns out that those people who seized the temple and beat the believers are not committing any crimes, but the journalists who wrote about it without evaluations, without remarks, for some reason are guilty of state treason," he said.

Andriy added that allegedly these publications, according to the investigation, not only harmed Ukraine's national security but also insulted and humiliated the honor and dignity of the OCU believers.

"As a journalist with many years of experience, I know that if some, I emphasize – non-state denomination considers itself offended by a media outlet, it goes to court with a civil lawsuit. But for some reason, the Security Service of Ukraine decided to take on the role of defender of one of the non-state denominations," Ovcharenko concluded.

As reported by the UOJ, earlier Andriy Ovcharenko stated in court that he supports the prosecutor's recusal as the prosecution demonstrates incompetence and bias.

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