A Priest of the UOC's Khust Diocese Who Participated in the May 9 Event Placed Under House Arrest

A priest of the Khust Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Volodymyr Hnepa, has been placed under 24-hour house arrest for promoting Soviet symbols. He has also reportedly been temporarily suspended from conducting church services. This was reported by the local online outlet “Tyachiv LIFE.”

The incident that led to the criminal proceedings took place on May 9 in the village of Mizhhirya, Zakarpattia region. According to law enforcement, the priest and a chanter came to a local monument to Afghan war veterans to honor those who died in World War II. They were dressed in outfits resembling Soviet military uniforms, bearing symbols associated with the communist regime, including Saint George ribbons and various medals.

According to the investigation, their actions were classified as public use of the symbols of the communist totalitarian regime. During searches of the suspects’ homes, police claim to have found materials of a propagandistic nature linked to the Russian Federation, and the priest allegedly had cold weapons in his possession.

Both men have been charged under Part 1 of Article 436-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (public use of symbols of the communist totalitarian regime).

Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine in Ternopil region reported a court verdict against a Ukrainian citizen from Dnipropetrovsk, who was detained last year during a pilgrimage to the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra. The woman was accused of spreading “Kremlin narratives” and justifying the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.