Court keeps vicar of Svyatogorsk Lavra in pre-trial detention

The appeals court has kept Metropolitan Arseniy (Yakovenko), the vicar of the Holy Assumption Sviatogorsk Lavra, in pre-trial detention. The judges did not take into account the arguments of the defense, including the unsatisfactory state of health of the hierarch and the need for constant medical supervision. This was reported by the people’s Deputy Artem Dmytruk.

«Unfortunately, the Court of Appeal left our dear Metropolitan Arseniy in confinement! We pray for the health, preservation of life, strengthening of mental and bodily strength of the Metropolitan, as well as for all the brotherhood of the Sviatogorsk Lavra. The hearts of millions of believers today is filled with bitterness from this injustice, which is experienced by the bishop», — wrote the Deputy in his Telegram-channel.

We will remind, on April 24, 2024 the Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches in the Assumption Sviatogorsk Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and detained the vicar of the monastery Metropolitan of Sviatogorsk Arseniy. The bishop is accused of «subversive activity.» According to the special service, Metropolitan Arseniy disclosed to the Russians the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Later, the hierarch was given a measure of restraint in the form of detention in a pre-trial detention center without the right to post bail.