By the decision of the Russian authorities, Ukrainian Protestant priest Pavlo Duchenko, who is also Chairman of the charity foundation “Open Heart” is to be deported to Ukraine. The reason for this is allegedly a “threat to national security of Russia.” On Saturday, 20 August, 46-year-old Duchenko was detained in St. Petersburg, and the day before a building of the foundation had been searched.
Security agencies accused the priest of “appeals to forceful change of the constitutional order” in Russia. Duchenko was also charged that he had not fulfilled the requirement to leave the country, which he was informed of on August 2. Duchenko rejects all accusations.
The foundation chaired by Duchenko helps people suffering from alcohol or drug addiction. The foundation offers therapeutic treatment. Duchenko has lived in the territory of Russia for more than a decade. It was reported by DW.