The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has stated that the release on bail of Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebid) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) will not affect the "fair trial".
"Recently, Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebid) of the UOC (MP) was bailed out for UAH 33.3m, which is why he was released from custody, as provided for by the preliminary decision of Kyiv's Solomyanskyy district court. Taking into account certain media inquiries, the Security Service of Ukraine states that this type of preventive measure will in no way affect the fair trial of Metropolitan Pavlo in court," the SBU said.
The special service stressed that the release of the former abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra on bail does not mean his release from criminal liability. It is only a measure of restraint, as the charges under the Criminal Code pressed against Metropolitan Pavlo do not provide for any alternative to detention.
Currently, the court has imposed a number of obligations on Metropolitan Pavlo:
· wear an electronic monitoring device;
· not to leave the village of Voronkiv, Boryspil District, Kyiv Region, without notifying the investigator (except in urgent cases involving danger to life and health);
· upon the first request, report to the investigator, prosecutor, investigating judge in the criminal proceedings;
· refrain from communicating with victims and witnesses.
The SBU also reported that the investigation in the criminal proceedings against the metropolitan has now been completed, and his lawyers are familiarising themselves with the case files. After that, the indictment will be sent to court.
On 7 August, Metropolitan Pavlo was released from custody on bail of UAH 33 million. According to his lawyer, the money for bail was raised by parishioners.
On 1 April, Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyy district court placed Pavlo under a round-the-clock house arrest. The SBU notified him of suspicion of justifying and denying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine (Article 161 of the Criminal Code), as well as violating the equality of citizens based on their racial, national and regional affiliation (Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code).
The special service also published photos and intercepted telephone conversations implicating Pavlo. On them, Pavlo rejoices in the capture of Kherson by the Russian occupiers. He also talks about "American biolabs" and calls the defenders of Ukraine "bastards". The metropolitan says that he is in touch with Moscow and calls for prayers for Russian Patriarch Kirill.
On 13 July, law-enforcement officers served Pavlo with a new notice of suspicion under the same two articles of the Criminal Code: Part 2 of Article 161 and Part 3 of Article 436-2. They provide for up to five years in prison.