Orthodox blogger tried in Zakarpattia for inciting religious hatred

This was reported by zaxid.net.

The verdict says that while studying in the fourth year of the private Chernivtsi Orthodox Theological Institute, the defendant created a Facebook page and published posts on social networks in which he called the OCU 'satanists' and accused them of treason.

It should be noted that Heorhiy Sobiat, the owner and head of the institute, is a protopriest of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of the UOC-MP.

According to the case file, Ivan Mikuliak created a Facebook page and, in August 2022, published a post trying to discredit the OCU. The defendant called the OCU “atheists and opponents of the Orthodox faith.” Ivan Mikuliak was indignant that people were allegedly prevented from praying in the Pochayiv Lavra.

In October of the same year, Mikuliak complained that the OCU was “seizing property and churches of the UOC” and convening a “satanic synod.” He also disliked the fact that the UOC was associated with the Moscow Patriarchate.

“Why should we celebrate this or that holiday in a different way? Because that's how the civilized world celebrates? Or maybe it is better to rely not on this world full of sin and depravity. The fact that the schismatic, the so-called Epifaniy, has come up with his own idea does not mean, I repeat, does not mean that we have to do the same! We are not traitors, we do not sell our faith for money and power, we do not rely on politics and the “civilized world”!” Ivan Mikuliak wrote in one of his publications.

In court, the defendant pleaded not guilty, stating that his posts could not offend anyone. However, witnesses noted that they were uncomfortable with the accusations of sectarianism. During the court hearings, one of the witnesses defended Ivan Mykuliak. He was the head of the village of Lypovets, where the accused lives. The latter argued that Mykuliak was a “positive citizen”.

It should be noted that the defendant shares posts on his social media page by pro-Russian politician Artem Dmytruk, who fled abroad, as well as posts by the Pochayiv Lavra of the UOC-MP. In 2023, Mykuliak claimed that he was “suffering from court hearings” and raised money for court costs.

Judge Mykhailo Dovzhanyn found Ivan Mykuliak guilty of inciting religious hatred (Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code) and fined him UAH 3400 (USD 82). The defendant also has to pay more than UAH 7000 for forensic examinations. The verdict can be appealed to the Zakarpattia Court of Appeal.