Zaporizhzhia Eparchy details searches conducted by SBU
SBU officers have also come with searches to other clerics of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy.
According to the information provided by the secretary of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy, Father Hennadiy Elin, the searches are conducted by the personnel of the Kyiv branch of the Security Service of Ukraine at the residence of Metropolitan Luke (Kovalenko), at the eparchial administration, and at the homes of several clergy members of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy.
It is also reported that as part of their ongoing activities, Metropolitan Luke is accused of "publicly and actively lobbying for the position of the Russian Orthodox Church." This comes after his inclusion in the personal sanctions list imposed on seven UOC hierarchs by the National Security and Defense Council on December 11, 2022.
As the UOJ reported, in August 2023, Metropolitan Luke was summoned for questioning as a witness in a criminal case related to the incitement of religious enmity and hatred (Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).