Ukraine’s Security Service searches UOC-MP sites in Poltava Oblast, looking for supporters of Russia
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) is conducting security measures at the premises of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) in Poltava Oblast, in particular at the Mhar Saviour-Transfiguration Monastery of the Poltava and Myrhorod Diocese of the UOC-MP and the diocesan administration of the Kremenchuk and Lubny Diocese of the UOC-MP.
Source: press service of the SSU
Quote: "Considering the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, these measures are being taken, among other things, to prevent the use of religious communities as a hub for the "Russian world" [the neo-imperial geopolitical and ideological doctrine of Putin’s dictatorship – ed.] and to protect the population from provocations and terrorist acts."
Details: SSU reported that all searches are being conducted with the participation of representatives of the church. Law enforcement officers are inspecting the territory and premises to identify persons who may be involved in illegal activities to the detriment of the state sovereignty of Ukraine and detect prohibited items.
The SSU stressed that the searches are being conducted within the framework of the current legislation.
Background:
- During the past few weeks, the Security Service of Ukraine has conducted a number of searches of UOC-MP premises in Kyiv and many oblasts. The searches are related to the propaganda of the "Russian world" in UOC-MP churches. Some priests have been notified of suspicion.
- On 1 December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) had instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to propose that the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) institute a ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), and also initiated a review of the legality of the UOC-MP’s presence at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves).
- On 1 December, Volodymyr Zelenskyy put into effect personal sanctions against representatives of religious organisations affiliated with centres of influence in the Russian Federation. Earlier, the sources of UP in the president’s team reported that the NSDC imposed sanctions against the clergy of the UOC-MP, in particular, the superior of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Pavlo (Lebed), and former member of parliament Vadym Novynskyi.
- On the morning of 2 December, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches in a number of churches and monasteries of the UOC-MP in three oblasts.
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