MP Solomyia Bobrovska threatened the UOC believers in Rivne region with "SBU visit"

An MP of the Golos faction, Solomiya Bobrovska, has published a video message in which she responded to accusations by believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Rivne Region of inciting religious hatred. In her speech, she said that she would not be frightened by the statements about “God’s punishment” and threatened to respond with “SBU visits,” apparently alluding to the authors of the video messages addressed to her, which are published en masse on social networks.

Bobrovska emphasized that, in her opinion, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) exists for cases of activity of UOC believers in defense of their rights, and expressed hope that it will systematically deal with the situation. She also noted that the SSU has recognized the connection between the Kiev Metropolitanate of the UOC and the Russian Orthodox Church, although court proceedings on this issue have not yet been completed.

“Apologists of the Russian Orthodox Church in Rivne region start mass recording videos and some of their wishes, accusing me of inciting religious hatred, as well as threatening God’s punishment. I want to say that in fact for you and there is the Service of God (Bobrovska means the SBU – Ed.), and I hope that she will also work with you systematically,” – said the MP.

In addition, the MP said that more than 210 criminal cases had been opened against clerics and bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under articles on high treason, encroachment on the constitutional order, production of banned symbols, incitement of ethnic hatred and collaboration. At the same time, she did not explain how these charges are related to the millions of UOC believers.

Addressing the parishioners of the UOC, Bobrovska called for a discussion of state security issues, saying that believers, “willingly or unwillingly,” become agents of a “religious network” that, in her words, promotes violence and occupation. The deputy did not specify the mechanism of this process.

Earlier, Solomiya Bobrovska expressed outrage over a charity event in Rivne, organized by the Rivne diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The MP is outraged that the city authorities provided the church with a venue for organizing a Christmas charity concert despite the fact that Ukraine has already passed a law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.