The has SSU exposed new facts of unlawful activities of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra abbot Pavlo (Petro Lebid).

According to the investigation, the day before the first suspicion notice was served to him by the SSU, the metropolitan gave a video interview to a national media outlet. In it, he denied the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state.

He also called russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine a ‘civil conflict’ that has been going on since 2014.

The SSU-initiated forensic linguistic examination confirmed the facts of the cleric’s criminal actions.

Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators served Petro Lebid a new notice of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 161.2 (violation of equality of citizens based on their religious beliefs committed by an official repeatedly);
• 436-2.3 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine committed by an official repeatedly).

The court is to decide on custody as a measure of restraint. The investigation is ongoing.

These crimes are punishable by up to 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The investigation was carried out under the procedural supervision of Kyiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.

We emphasize that in its activities the SSU adheres to the principle of impartiality to any religious denomination and respects the right of every citizen to freedom of worldview and religion, as defined by the Constitution of Ukraine.