Ukrainian MPs receive threatening letters from Moscow-aligned church lobbyist linked to former pro-Russian MP
Volodymyr Viatrovych, a member of the Parliamentary Humanitarian and Information Policy Committee, reported receiving a letter from American law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP, representing the interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) and funded by former Ukrainian MP and businessman Vadym Novinskyi, containing threats directed at the MPs.
Source: Viatrovych on Facebook
Quote from Viatrovych: "[I] just finished a committee meeting where an unprecedented situation was discussed – a letter, containing threats addressed to members of the Verkhovna Rada [Parliament] of Ukraine, which is currently considering a bill to ban the Russian Orthodox Church, from an American law firm which claims to represent the interests of the so-called UOC-MP."
Details: He reported that the pro-Russian former MP Vadym Novinskyi is funding the efforts of this law firm; the committee therefore decided that this was a matter for the Security Service of Ukraine and that "their American colleagues should be informed about the situation".
Viatrovych reiterated that the committee has already made amendments to the second reading of this bill and adopted a decision to appeal to the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada to include it in the agenda of the nearest meeting.
"For me, this threatening letter... is evidence that we have indeed put forth an effective measure that can eliminate the influence of the Russian Church in Ukraine," he noted.
Background: In October 2023, the parliament supported a bill that would ban Russian-linked religious organisations in Ukraine at its first reading.
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