MP Anton Polyakov has asked the Security Service of Ukraine to verify media reports about the financing of protests against the arrival of the Ecumenical Patriarch, as well as other activities of the ROC in Ukraine, by the BRSM-Nafta gas station network and its owner Andriy Biba.
The lawmaker pointed to the fact that no legal action has been pursued so far as regards provocations during protests against the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
“Such provocations, as a rule, are made with a single goal, namely – to claim the alleged split in society and oppression of believers of certain denominations, and to shake unity of the Ukrainian nation,” the people’s deputy wrote on Facebook.
MP Polyakov wrote an appeal to the Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine, Ivan Bakanov, asking to verify the reports of BRSM-Nafta and its owner Andriy Biba’s involvement.
If proved, these actions directly target the security of the country and citizens in general, the lawmaker believes.
According to the MP, pro-Russian forces had been conducting propaganda against the visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch since February, and various sources had repeatedly received information about possible riots of the rallies. Therefore, the implications of such provocations could threaten the state security of Ukraine, its international image, and interfaith harmony in Ukrainian society.
He added that thanks to the SBU, the threats were minimized, but the threat of destabilization on religious grounds remains.
It should be recalled that on June 15, ROCinU believers and members of the Myriany NGO, ROCinU’s front organization, rallied outside the President’s Office to complain about bills on the standardization of the ROCinU’s title. The event was covered by pro-Russian media outlets and Russian agents posing as journalists.
In August, a rally was held outside Parliament against Bartholomew’s visit, including with the elements of provocation.
