The Cherkasy Prosecutor's Office Plans to Hold an In absentia Trial of a Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church

The Cherkasy Regional Prosecutor’s Office has filed an indictment with the court against Metropolitan Aristarkh (Smirnov), head of the Kuzbass Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church, who is charged in absentia with financing and providing material support to the armed forces of the Russian Federation. The bishop’s actions are classified under Part 3 of Article 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This was reported by and the Cherkasy Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

According to investigators, the Russian Orthodox Church hierarch, using his religious influence, organized a large-scale system of support for the Russian army beginning with the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has been established that the accused, “personally and through his subordinates, ensured the collection of funds and material resources for the needs of Russian military units participating in the occupation of Ukrainian territories.”

According to the source, the assistance included the transfer of vehicles, equipment, and humanitarian aid, as well as the establishment of funds for the procurement of military equipment. At present, the defendant is in hiding within the Russian Federation.

If found guilty, Article 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for a sentence of imprisonment for a term of six to eight years, along with confiscation of property and a three-year ban on holding certain positions.

As a reminder, the Security Service of Ukraine previously officially announced that it suspected Seraphim Dubanov, a protodeacon of the Russian Orthodox Church and leader of the “Russian Format” choir, of wrongdoing. According to information provided by the security services, the cleric is accused of providing material support to Russian troops and engaging in ideological activities aimed at supporting the aggression against Ukraine.