The SBU and the National Police officers found many anti-Ukrainian materials during security events on the territory of the Pochayiv Theological Seminary and the UOC-MP Diocese of Ivano-Frankivsk.
In particular, the SBU found literature that denies the existence of the Ukrainian people, their language, as well as the very right of Ukraine to statehood, and, on the contrary, notes that this is allegedly an artificially created state.
The Security Service also found pamphlets and books of xenophobic and hateful content with offensive stories about other nationalities and religions.
Most of the literature is written by Russian authors and published by Russian printing houses.
In addition, the Security Service of Ukraine is studying the origin of the samples of symbols of the "Great Don Army", which were found in one of the back rooms of the UOC-MP Diocese of Ivano-Frankivsk. In particular, we are referring to the chevrons of this illegal armed group, which in 2014 helped the racists to occupy part of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
All this physical evidence is the basis for initiating two criminal proceedings under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of equal rights of citizens depending on their race, national, regional affiliation, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds). Now all of them are sent for appropriate independent examinations.
Based on the results of these examinations, further procedural actions will be taken.
It should be noted that in its activities, the SBU adheres to the principle of impartiality to the activities of any religious denomination and respects the right of every citizen to freedom of worldview and religion, as defined by the Constitution of Ukraine.