In Khmelnitsky diocese of the UOC sued local deputies for stealing the diocesan car

The administration of the Khmelnytskyy diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has filed a lawsuit against three deputies of the city and regional councils for embezzling a vehicle belonging to the diocese. The car in question is a Skoda Octavia, which was stolen during the seizure of the Holy Protection Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Khmelnytskyi in early April 2023. According to the testimony of the human rights activist of the Khmelnytskyi diocese, then the police refused to accept a statement about the hijacking. This is stated in the determination of the investigating judge of January 23, 2024.

“… [The deputies] illegally took possession of a passenger car “Skoda Octavia”, documents and keys to it, although the said car is the property of the legal entity “Management of Khmelnytskyi diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church” and the said legal entity never voluntarily transferred this car to the said deputies”, – said the representative of Khmelnytskyi diocese in court.

It is noted that the police investigator, having been duly notified of the date and time of consideration of the complaint, did not appear at the court hearing. Consequently, according to the judge, the statement of the lawyer of the UOC on illegal possession of the vehicle may contain a statement of circumstances that may indicate the commission of a criminal offense, so the investigator was obliged without delay, but not later than 24 hours after the submission, to enter information in the ERDR and to begin an investigation.