In Kyiv, a radical attacked a lawyer for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church during a court hearing

During a court hearing at the Northern Economic Court of Appeals regarding the Upper Lavra case, a high-profile incident occurred: activist David Pshenichny physically assaulted a lawyer representing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The incident was accompanied by threats of violence, as a result of which the victim required emergency medical attention.

According to a statement by Archpriest Nikita Chekman, the attack occurred immediately after a recess was announced in the proceedings. The lawyer was forced to request a temporary recess in order to file a motion to recuse the panel of judges after the judges rejected his request to review the case materials. Following the assailant’s aggressive actions, an ambulance crew and police officers were called to the scene.

Lawyers for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church intend to seek a legal assessment of the incident by filing the appropriate reports alleging a criminal offense. It is worth noting that David Pshenichny, who has previously been observed engaging in provocations against church representatives, has already been mentioned in pretrial investigation materials related to the seizure of the cathedral in Cherkasy. Despite court orders regarding his actions, the offender continues to exert pressure on participants in the legal proceedings. It was also previously reported that this activist was seen wearing clothing bearing Nazi symbols.