SBU announces suspicion to Lavra monk

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has reported suspicion of Archdeacon Pavel (Muzychko), a monk of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

On its Telegram channel, the SBU reported that Archdeacon Pavel was engaged in "organising provocations in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra".

The press service of the agency writes that law enforcers "documented the subversive activities of the hierodeacon of the UOC, who acted in favour of the aggressor country".

According to the investigation, "the figure is one of the closest associates of Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed) and is involved in the organisation of mass provocations in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the spring of 2023".

At the same time, the SBU said that "under the guise of 'protests', the cleric hoped to maximally shake up the socio-political situation in Kyiv," accusing him of coordinating his actions with blogger Anatoliy Shariy.

In addition, the SBU said, "in correspondence with believers, the cleric justified Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and praised Russia's top military and political leadership" and "tried to discredit the Defence Forces, including the defenders of Mariupol".

A forensic examination initiated by the SBU confirmed the facts of the archdeacon's "subversive activities".

Based on the materials received, investigators of the Security Service informed Archdeacon Pavel of suspicion under Part 1 Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification, recognition of legitimacy, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants)" and said that he faces imprisonment.

As reported, the monk of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was taken to the SBU for questioning after the search.