The SSU has collected evidence against the head and the secretary of Ovrutsk-Korosten diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Zhytomyr oblast.

According to the investigation, during several years the metropolitan personally prepared texts of pro-kremlin leaflets and brochures.

In these ‘publications’, the cleric insulted religious feelings of Ukrainians, humiliated views of believers of other faiths and tried to form hostile attitudes toward them.

The total circulation of such destructive materials was almost 50,000 copies, which the diocese secretary, the metropolitan’s brother, disseminated among priests and the religious community.

The SSU seized the propaganda leaflets and brochures during security measures in Zhytomyr region in spring 2022.

The SSU-initiated examinations confirmed that the uncovered ‘literature’ contain statements aimed at inciting religious hatred in the border region.

Based on these findings and the evidence collected, both offenders have been notified of suspicion under Articles 28.2 and 161.2 of the CCU (violation of equality of citizens based on their race, nationality, region, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds).

The suspects are facing up to 5 years in prison.

During the searches in the neighbouring Zhytomyr UOC-MP diocese, the SSU and National Police also exposed the local bishop and his associates on fraud involving donations from believers.

The money (over UAH 1 mln) that parishioners had collected to eliminate the consequences of a fire in the diocese administration in January 2022 was spent by the suspects for their own needs.

The investigation into fraud is ongoing.

The SSU Office in Zhytomyr region carried out the operational and investigative activities jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.