Patriarch Filaret asks court to release Tymoshenko on bail
“On behalf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, its bishops, clergy and laity as well as myself, I ask you to change the preventive measure taken with respect to Yulia Volodymyrivna Tymoshenko who was arrested on August 5, 2011,” reads the address of Patriarch Filaret posted by the press service of the UOC-KP on August 8.
“Yulia Volodymyrivna Tymoshenko is a member of the Orthodox Church, a believer. Also, as a public and political figure she is respected and supported by many citizens of Ukraine and is widely known abroad. In view of the above and the opinion of a considerable number of parishioners of the Kyivan Patriarchate who have been approaching me with requests in this regard, and in view of my obligation to care and intercede for prisoners before the authorities, on behalf of the Kyivan Patriarchate and myself, I ask you to change the preventive measure taken with respect to Yulia Volodymyrivna Tymoshenko and to release her on bail.
"Numerous statements and addresses of the Ukrainian state, political and public figures responding to the arrest of Tymoshenko on August 5 show that the event dramatically sharpened the social tension and political confrontation. Judging from statements in this regard, it also provoked concern of foreign states and public figures, which harms the international authority of Ukraine and can harm the interests of our state,” reads the letter of the head of UOC-KP.
According to Patriarch Filaret, further keeping Tymoshenko in custody will not promote objective court proceedings but will rather sharpen social tension and undermine the authority of Ukraine at the international level.
“All these circumstances and my pastoral duty urge me to ask you to allow Yulia Volodymyrivna Tymoshenko to be released on bail. I am convinced that Yulia Tymoshenko as an Orthodox Christian, who knows about the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and many saints who did not avoid justice regardless of their personal opinion, will not avoid justice and will not obstruct establishment of the truth in the matter. On my part, I will also do everything in my power to urge Tymoshenko to appear in court on the first notice and assist the court procedure,” reads the letter.
As he addressed personally Judge Kirieiev, Patriarch Filaret stressed that the responsibility of the church is to be on the side of justice but also to call to mercy.
“We all will appear before the judgment seat of the Lord at the end of the world and those who show mercy can expect God’s mercy. Therefore, I am calling You not to reject this request but to show mercy. As I understand the extent of your responsibility, I will ask the Lord in prayer to strengthen You in your decision as the judge, to give You the strength and wisdom to make the right decisions and establish the truth in the matter,” wrote Patriarch Filaret.
