Archpriest of Moscow-linked church sentenced to four years in prison for supporting Russia's war against Ukraine

A priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) who supported Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has received a substantial prison term.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SSU); Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office; Ukrainska Pravda source in law enforcement agencies

Details: Based on the evidence gathered by the special services, the court found the defendant guilty of justifying, legitimising and denying Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine and glorifying its participants, and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment.

The court's verdict took legal effect immediately, as the prosecutors were upholding the verdict on appeal.

A source from the Prosecutor's Office said the individual in question is Oleksandr Luniehov, the rector of the Church of St John the Merciful, a parish of the UOC-MP Diocese of Dnipropetrovsk in the village of Pysmenne, Vasylkivka district, in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

The prosecutors proved in court that after Russia’s full-scale aggression began, the clergyman repeatedly posted comments under pro-Russian videos on YouTube.

During his sermons, the priest would justify the full-scale Russian invasion and the occupation of parts of Ukraine's territory. In personal conversations with parishioners, he would try to persuade them to move to Russia, or to temporarily occupied oblasts of Ukraine so they could assist the Russian occupiers, the SSU stated.

Meanwhile, the archpriest eagerly anticipated the occupation of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a view he expressed repeatedly during conversations with local residents.

The defendant’s crimes were documented by the SSU, and in September 2022 they detained him in his own home. During searches, mobile phones he had used to spread Kremlin propaganda were confiscated.

Expert examinations initiated by the SSU confirmed that the cleric had conducted subversive activities in favour of the aggressor country.

The Prosecutor's Office indicated that the defendant did not admit his guilt during the court hearing.

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