Ukraine's Security Service serves notice of suspicion on archpriest of Russia-connected church after searches

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has served a notice of suspicion of justifying Russia's war against Ukraine and inciting religious hatred on Archpriest Mykola Danylevych, deputy head of the Synodal Department for External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP).

Source: SSU press service, Ukrainska Pravda

Details: The SSU report does not specify the name of the suspect, but Ukrainska Pravda has been informed that it likely is Danylevych, whose house was searched on 12 April.

The SSU reported that the cleric used his own Telegram channel to spread pro-Kremlin narratives.

Quote: "The operational data suggests that the priest supervised an extensive network of eparchies of the UOC-MP abroad. These institutions spread Russian propaganda narratives under the guise of allegedly providing spiritual care to Ukrainian refugees.

In this way, the offender tried to influence the minds of Ukrainians abroad and discredit our country in the international arena.

The SSU-initiated investigation confirmed the facts of his information and subversive activities against our state."

Details: The SSU notes that during the searches at the suspect’s place of residence, they found a certificate of compulsory pension insurance of the Russian Federation and documents confirming his studies at the diplomatic academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

It is stated that on the basis of the collected evidence, the cleric was notified of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

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