SBU serves fifth suspicion notice to Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snigirev)

Searches at the residence place of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv, June 19, 2024. Photo: SBU

On June 19, 2024, the SBU Office in Cherkasy Oblast announced a new – fifth – suspicion notice issued to Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv. According to the agency, the Security Service has collected evidence of the unlawful anti-Ukrainian activities of the ruling bishop of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC.

The SBU claims that Metropolitan Theodosius, despite previous suspicion notices, is once again involved in inciting interfaith hatred among believers in Ukraine.

"According to the investigation, while under house arrest, the cleric actively manages social media pages. He posted destructive materials on the YouTube channel of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC (MP) and the Facebook page of the religious institution. His video messages were aimed at creating prerequisites for interfaith discord," the statement reads.

The special service reports that based on the collected evidence (the specific evidence is not detailed), he has been informed of a suspicion under Part 2 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of citizens' equality based on their religious beliefs).

Currently, the issue of choosing a new preventive measure for the UOC hierarch is being resolved.

As reported by the UOJ, on June 19, SBU officers in Cherkasy conducted another search of the residence of Metropolitan Theodosiy. The hierarch stated on his Telegram channel that the formal reason for this fourth search was a criminal case initiated over a sermon he gave to one of the persecuted communities in the Cherkasy region. However, he believes the real reason is his refusal to be exchanged as a "prisoner of war enemy".

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