The Security Service of Ukraine reported that it had documented crimes committed by the head of the Zaporizhzhya Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), Metropolitan Luke (Andriy Kovalenko). The cleric is suspected of inciting religious hatred in Ukraine.
According to the investigation, the Metropolitan publicly expressed his disdain for parishioners of other faiths. He repeatedly ‘mentioned’ this during his communication with parishioners and during church liturgies.
The cleric also posted provocative messages on his personal telegram channel, where he insulted the religious feelings of representatives of other faiths. In this way, he undermined the socio-political situation in the frontline region in favour of the aggressor country.
The SBU-initiated examination confirmed the facts of the cleric's subversive activities against the state security of Ukraine.
Based on the collected evidence, he was served a notice of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of equality of citizens based on their race, nationality, region, religious beliefs and other grounds).
The issue of choosing a type of detention is being decided. The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime. The offender faces imprisonment.
The SBU reminded that in December 2022, the National Security and Defence Council imposed personal sanctions against him.
For our part, on 15 March 2022, on his Telegram channel, Luka said that Ukrainians deserved Russian bombing because they tolerate gay pride parades in Kyiv and therefore Ukrainians are against God and deserve the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.
We also recall that the Security Service recently documented subversive activities on the part of the abbot of the Svyatohirsk Lavra of the UOC (MP), Metropolitan Arseniy (Ihor Yakovenko). According to the agency, the abbot of the Svyatohirsk Lavra ‘tipped off’ the occupiers to the positions of the Armed Forces in Donetsk Region. He faces up to 8 years in prison.