The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is conducting searches at Metropolitan Ionafan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (of the Moscow Patriarchate).
"The SBU officers are conducting investigative and operational activities in the framework of criminal proceedings opened under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds)," the SBU said.
According to information available to LB.ua, the SBU took interest in the priest because he published materials calling for sectarian hatred. In addition, he is suspected under Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason) and 111-1 (collaboration).
The head of the information department at the UOC, Metropolitan Klyment, said in a comment to LB.ua that he learned about the searches from the media. He also noted that Metropolitan Ionafan is a witness in the case.
"According to media reports, investigative actions were carried out in the apartment of Metropolitan Ionafan as part of the proceedings under Article 161 of the Criminal Code. From the same sources it is known that the Metropolitan is a witness in these proceedings. Law-enforcement agencies have not provided any other information at this time. Perhaps after reviewing the relevant legal documents there will be more information," Klyment told LB.ua.
At least three UOC representatives sided with the occupiers and took part in the pompous proclamation of the occupation of part of the Ukrainian territories in the Kremlin hall - Metropolitan Panteleymon (Povoroznyuk) of Luhansk and Alchevsk, Archimandrite Ioann (Prokopenko), rector of the St. Savva Monastery of Melitopol, which is part of the Zaporizhzhya diocese of the UOC, and Archimandrite Alexy (Fedorov), rector of the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Kherson. All of them, according to open sources, collaborated with the occupiers. Also, UOC Bishop Yelisey of Izyum fled to Russia.