As reported earlier, Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy and Kaniv is being tried in five criminal proceedings. According to published information, most of the cases were initiated against the hierarch as a result of investigative measures taken by the Security Service of Ukraine, and their consideration has been going on for more than two years.
Court again remanded Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk in custody
On March 3, 2025, the Dnipro Court of Appeal completed consideration of the appeals of the lawyers of the hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Arseny of Sviatohirsk. The new court ruling extended the bishop’s detention in the Dnipro pre-trial detention center for another 2 months, until March 30. This is reported by the official website of the Sviatohirsk Lavra.
It is reported that Metropolitan Arseny’s lawyers asked the court of appeal to change their client’s measure of restraint from detention to one that is not related to imprisonment: release on bail or on the suretyship of MPs of Ukraine or house arrest. In addition to the lawyers, the bishop and the prosecutor, the court hearing was also attended by Ukrainian MPs Victoria Gryb and Volodymyr Moroz, who stated before the court of appeal that they were ready to bail out the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra in order to release him from custody. About 10 other MPs representing various political forces also expressed a desire to vouch for Bishop Arseniy.
After hearing the defense and prosecution, the Court of Appeal, however, refused to release the lawyers and MPs, upholding the decision of the court of first instance.
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