The SBU commented on the searches of employees of the “Union of Orthodox Journalists”, a resource that supports the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and writes, in particular, about the seizure of UOC churches by the OCU.
It is claimed that “a large-scale FSB agent network” that was trying to “destabilize the situation in Ukraine” has been neutralized.
According to the investigation, the defendants in the case "produced and disseminated pro-Kremlin narratives and provocative messages that were intended to destabilize the socio-political situation and incite religious hatred in Ukraine.".
No examples of such messages are provided.
Four people were detained, including one of the rector of the UOC church in Kyiv.
The SBU states that a total of 15 people are involved in the case, and “this is one of the largest FSB networks operating in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.”.
One of the accusations was that the content of the “Union of Orthodox Journalists” was reprinted by Russian media outlets and websites of UOC dioceses, as well as Orthodox Telegram channels.
The detainees were charged under Articles 111 (high treason), 111-1 (collaborative activities), Articles 28 and 255 (creation and participation in a criminal organization), 161 (incitement of religious enmity and hatred committed by an organized group), and 436-2 (justification of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine).
