Metropolitan Jonathan refuses exchange to Russia

Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh). Photo: Press Service of the Tulchyn Eparchy

The convicted head of the Tulchyn Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh), has refused to be included in the exchange fund as a prisoner of war for transfer to Russia, reports Glavcom citing court registry data.

The UOC hierarch’s lawyer stated that his client wrote an application for exchange while undergoing treatment at a cardiology center following a stroke. However, Metropolitan Jonathan does not have the status of a prisoner of war, does not admit his guilt, and "wants to continue working for the benefit of Ukraine".

During the session, Met. Jonathan stressed that he wrote the application himself, but now, since he does not have the status of a prisoner of war, he has changed his mind.

As reported by UOJ, the ruling bishop of the Tulchyn Eparchy was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

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