Following an investigation by the Security Service, Vasyl Povorozniuk, a sanctioned metropolitan of Luhansk diocese of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of moscow patriarchate, who cooperates with russia in the temporarily occupied territories, has been sentenced in absentia to 11 years in prison.

In addition, the court ordered the confiscation and transfer to the state of all property belonging to the clergyman.

This includes two apartments, one in Boryspil district of Kyiv region and the other in Luhansk region, as well as a private house in Vinnytsia region. Also among the confiscated property are two cars belonging to the convicted priest, including a Toyota Land Cruiser 200.

According to the investigation, Povorozniuk was one of the first in the region to publicly support russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

In September 2022, the cleric arrived at the kremlin to participate in the ceremony of the so-called ‘annexation’ of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the aggressor state.

In May of the same year, Povorozniuk spread enemy propaganda during a round table meeting in Luhansk. This event was held under the leadership of gauleiter Pasichnyk and was widely covered by the kremlin media.

Povorozniuk repeatedly gave interviews to russian propagandists, in which he called for the continuation of the war against Ukraine and seizure of new territories of our state.

Based on the evidence, the court found the accused guilty under Article 111-2.2 of the CCU (aiding an aggressor state).

The court also ruled to strip Povorozniuk of the right to hold any position in religious organizations for a period of 13 years.

Since the convict is hiding in the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk oblast, efforts to bring him to justice are underway.

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Chernihiv Office under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.