Repeated Arrest of UOC MP Cleric for Disinformation about Ukrainian Armed Forces
At the Holy Dormition Lavra of the UOC MP, Metropolitan Arseniy, the spiritual leader previously released on bail after suspicion of collaborating with Russian propaganda, has been detained for the second time.
This time, the cleric is accused of spreading false information that denies Russia’s military aggression and glorifies its actions against Ukraine.
Prosecutor’s Office reports indicate that in May-June 2022, he publicly promoted pro-Russian narratives, including accusations that Ukrainian forces targeted churches and caused clergy casualties, which violates Ukrainian laws against justifying and propagating military aggression.
The Metropolitan was initially placed in custody, but a court later allowed bail of 1.5 million hryvnias, which he paid.
However, on October 28, after posting bail and leaving detention, he was detained again by SBU officers and taken to a temporary detention center in Dnipropetrovsk region.
The investigation confirms that he spread propaganda denying Russian military aggression, an act punishable under Ukrainian law.
The case materials have been forwarded to the court for further proceedings.
This ongoing criminal case underscores the efforts to combat disinformation and propaganda that threaten Ukraine’s security, especially from pro-Russian elements seeking to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty through malicious narratives.