The SSU has documented crimes committed by the rector of a church in Khust diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The priest incited religious and ethnic hatred in the border region and justified russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.

He called the full-scale invasion of russia a ‘civil war’ and urged believers to evade mobilization.

The church official also incited local population against representatives of one of the national minorities and other religious denominations.

He used provocative rhetoric while communicating with local residents and on his Facebook page.

In this way, the cleric was trying to undermine the socio-political situation in the region.

The SSU-initiated examinations confirmed his information and subversive activities against Ukraine.

Based on the evidence, the church rector was served a notice of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 161.1 (violation of equality of citizens based on their race, nationality, region, religious beliefs and other grounds);
• 436-2.2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

The investigation is ongoing. The suspect faces up to 5 years in prison.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Zakarpattia region jointly with the National Police under the supervision of Tyachiv District Prosecutor’s Office.