State attorneys respond to threatening text messages to clergymen of OCU in Zhytomyr Region

Investigation into the practice of pressure on priests who move to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was initiated in Zhytomyr. UNIAN learned about this in the press service of the Prosecutor's Office of Zhytomyr Region.

According to the statement, on February 11, Zhytomyr local Prosecutor's Office entered the information to the Uniform Register of Pre-trial Investigations about institution proceedings on the grounds of an offense under Part 1 of Art. 161 (violation of the equality of rights of citizens depending on their race, nationality, religious beliefs) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

“As it transpired from publications in the media, the priests who changed affiliation to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine received text message from the representatives of the UOC-MP with threats and appeals for repentance, etc. Thus, the right of citizens to religion is violated, which is inadmissible,” the prosecutor noted.

It is reported that the necessary investigative actions are being carried out as part of the criminal proceedings, the facts published in the press are being verified, the direct involvement of the persons in the commission of a criminal offense is being established. The department added that pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Zhytomyr local police department in the region, and the local prosecutor's office carries out procedural guidance.

As RISU has reported, in Zhytomyr, the priests who changed affiliation to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine received text messages with threats from Metropolitan Vissarion (Stretovich) of Ovruch and Korosten. He warns that Russian priests and people come to help repent the communities that left the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.