In Cherkasy region, the SBU threatens to imprison a UOC believer because of his active position on the defense of the Church in social networks

The Security Service of Ukraine in Cherkasy Region has reported the «exposure» of a 20-year-old graduate of one of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s theological seminaries, Yevhen Kostenko, who was actively engaged in defending the interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on social networks. Investigators accuse him of «anti-Ukrainian activity», «justification of armed aggression of the Russian Federation» and «denial of war crimes of the occupants».

According to the regional daily zmi.ck.ua, Kostenko allegedly used his personal Facebook page «to spread pro-Kremlin narratives». In his publications, he allegedly denied the fact of a full-scale invasion, praised the actions of Russian armed formations and justified their crimes against civilians in Ukraine. The linguistic examination initiated by the special service fully confirmed the facts of information and subversive activities in favor of the aggressor country.

In addition, the investigation has established that the suspect is a close person to the head of Cherkasy diocese of the UOC Metropolitan Theodosius (Snigiryov), whom the SBU has already charged with five suspicions. At the moment, Yevhen Kostenko is reported on suspicion under parts 2 and 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification and denial of armed aggression of the Russian Federation, glorification of its participants). He faces a penalty of imprisonment for up to 8 years with confiscation of property.

We shall remind you that earlier protodeacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) Vadym Novinsky made a statement accusing the Security Service of Ukraine of mass fabrication of criminal cases against clergymen. In his opinion, the overwhelming majority of persecutions have no real grounds and are used by the authorities as a tool to fight against the church.