Local resident tried in Kirovograd region for insulting OCU on social media

On December 3, 2024, the Dolyna District Court of the Kirovohrad region held a court hearing to consider a case of violation of the rights and freedoms of citizens based on their religious beliefs. The reason for the hearing was the actions of a local resident who, according to the investigation, insulted the OCU and supporters of this organization on social networks. This is reported on the website of the Register of Court Decisions.

It is reported that “the defendant committed deliberate actions aimed at inciting religious hatred and enmity, as well as insulting the feelings of citizens in connection with their religious beliefs, which was expressed in the spread and propaganda of religious intolerance (intolerant attitude, to the representatives and parishioners of the OCU, insulting the feelings of citizens in connection with their religious beliefs, as well as inciting religious/interfaith hatred and hatred, thereby committing a criminal offense under Part 1 of Art. 1 of Art. 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which was expressed in the dissemination and propaganda of religious intolerance (intolerant attitude, hostility) towards representatives and parishioners of the OCU. 1 of Art. 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, under the following circumstances.”

According to the investigation, the defendant created a fake Facebook profile, using which he “incited enmity and hatred” against supporters of the OCU. Prosecutors also cited the following quote as a reason for the prosecution: “All the Orthodox Churches of the world are interconnected, because the Church is the Body of Christ! And the OCU is not connected to anyone, and is the body of Poroshenko.”

As a result, the man pleaded guilty and agreed to a plea deal with the investigation. The court ruled to imprison the accused for 1 year, but released him from serving his sentence with a probationary period. He will also pay UAH 14,000 for the forensic examinations.