The former head of the Ternopil RSA, who threatened to expel the UOC from the Pochaiv Lavra, was sentenced to nine years in prison for corruption

On June 18, 2025, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine sentenced Mykhailo Golovko, former head of the Ternopil Regional State Administration, to nine years in prison with confiscation of property. While in office, Golovko actively fought against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the region, threatening to expel the UOC from the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra. The former official was accused of participating in corruption schemes. This was reported by the regional publication Realno.

“To find him guilty and sentence him to nine years in prison with confiscation of all property. The term of imprisonment shall be counted from the moment of arrest. The remaining ammunition shall be destroyed. The bail shall be confiscated in favor of the state,” – the judge announced the verdict against Mykhailo Golovko, who was detained two years ago by NABU detectives on suspicion of bribery.

Earlier, we reported that the former head of the Ternopil Regional State Administration, Mykhailo Golovko, had stated that he would find ways to expel the monks of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra and transfer the monastery to the ownership of the OCU.