Police detain arsonist of UOC church in Zhytomyr region

The police detained the person accused of intentionally setting fire to the Holy Protection Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Zeremlya, Zhytomyr region. It was a 28-year-old local resident. The offender has already been imposed a pre-trial restraint in the form of round-the-clock house arrest for a period of 60 days. This was reported by the press service of the Novohrad-Volyn City District Court.

“In support of the petition, the investigator noted that on September 04, 2024, at approximately 22:40, the suspect was at his place of residence when he had a criminal intent aimed at the deliberate destruction by arson of a wooden building and property of the Holy Protection Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, located in the village of Zeremlya, Zvyagel district, Zhytomyr region, which belongs to the religious community of the Holy Protection Parish of the Zhytomyr Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The man approached the church and, holding a pre-prepared container with gasoline, poured it on the outside of the church building walls and then set it on fire. As a result of deliberate criminal acts, the fire destroyed the building and property of the Holy Protection Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” — the court’s press service said in a statement.

Earlier, the Zhytomyr Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church reported that the Holy Protection Church in the village of Zeremlya, Baraniv district, Zhytomyr region, had been set on fire. It is reported that as a result of the fire, which occurred on September 4, 2024, the church completely burned down inside and out.