Ukrinform reported this with reference to the SBU press center.
In particular, it was established that in his public speeches, Lebid repeatedly offended the religious feelings of Ukrainians, humiliated the views of believers of other denominations, and attempted to instigate hostile attitudes towards them, as well as made statements justifying or denying Russia’s actions . This was also confirmed by the forensic linguistic examination initiated by the SBU.
“The law and the accountability for its violation are the same for everyone, and the robe is not always a guarantee of pure intentions. Today, the enemy is trying to use the church environment to promote its propaganda and divided Ukrainian society. However, we will not give them a single chance! The SBU systematically blocks all attempts by the Russian special services, who seek to use their agents to harm the interests and security of Ukraine,” said SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk.
Based on the evidence collected Lebid was charged under Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the equality of citizens depending on their racial, national, regional affiliation, and religious beliefs) and Part 1 of Article 436-2 (justification or denial of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).
On the morning of April 1, the Security Service of Ukraine handed a notice of suspicion to the former abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) Pavlo (Lebid).
