SBU exposed an anti-Semite cleric of the UOC-MP in Zakarpattia, spreading fake news about the war in Ukraine

According to the investigation, the cleric fueled religious and interethnic hatred in the border region and justified Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.

The suspect referred to Russia's full-scale invasion as a "civil war" and urged believers to evade mobilization. Additionally, he incited parishioners against representatives of one national minority and parishioners of other religious denominations.

The provocative rhetoric was spread by the cleric during interactions with local residents and on his own Facebook page. Consequently, the suspect attempted to destabilize the socio-political situation in the region in favor of the aggressor country.

Expert examinations initiated by the Security Service confirmed the facts of his subversive activities against Ukraine.

Based on the evidence gathered, the head of the UOC-MP church was informed of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

- Article 161, Part 1 (violation of equality of citizens based on their racial, national, regional affiliation, religious beliefs, and other grounds);
- Article 436-2, Part 2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

The investigation is ongoing. The perpetrator faces up to 5 years in prison.

Comprehensive measures were conducted by the SBU officers in the Zakarpattia region jointly with the National Police under the procedural guidance of the Tyachiv District Prosecutor's Office.