The SSU exposed new facts of subversive activities of the head of one of the dioceses of the moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Vinnytsia region.

According to the investigation, the head of the diocese prepared propaganda leaflets, in which he justified russia’s armed aggression and temporary occupation of eastern and southern regions of Ukraine.

In his propaganda material, the cleric called for seizure of state power and changing of the borders of our country.

The clergyman kept the mass-produced pro-kremlin material in the back rooms of the church and planned to organize its distribution among locals through the diocesan office.

The SSU-initiated independent examination confirmed the priest’s unlawful activities against Ukraine’s state security.

Thus, SSU investigators served the offender a notice of suspicion under Articles of the CCU:

• 436-2.3 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine),
• 109.2 (distribution of materials calling for violent change of the constitutional order),
• 110.1 (distribution of materials calling for change of borders of the territory and the state border of Ukraine).

Earlier, based on the SSU’s investigation, the metropolitan was notified of suspicion under Article 161.2 of the CCU (violation of equality of citizens based on their race, nationality, region, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds).

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the committed offences.

The SSU Office in Vinnytsia region carried out the investigation under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor’s office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in line with the procedure defined by law and established by a relevant court’s verdict.