Slavyansk Court Overturns Decision on Appointment of Prosecutors in Metropolitan Arseniy's Case

On April 14, 2025, the Slavyansk City District Court overturned the decision on the appointment of a group of prosecutors in the case of the abbot of the Svyatogorsk Lavra, Metropolitan Arseniy of Svyatogorsk. The court agreed with the defense’s arguments, which pointed out violations of the criminal procedural legislation when confirming the prosecution’s powers. The court ruled that the appointed group of prosecutors had no legal grounds to participate in the case. This is reported on the official website of the Svyatohirsk Lavra.

During the hearing, the court also began considering the defense’s motions for new evidence, which, in the defense’s view, demonstrate that there was no criminal act committed by the metropolitan.

The next court session is scheduled for April 17. Additionally, on April 21, the Dnipro Appellate Court will review the lawyers’ appeals regarding the extension of the metropolitan’s detention.

Earlier, on March 27, 2025, another session of the Slavyansk City District Court was held, during which the issue of extending the preventive measure for the hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Arseniy of Svyatogorsk, was considered. As a result of the hearing, the bishop was kept in pretrial detention until the end of May.