Ukraine's Security Service serves Metropolitan of Russia-linked church with notice of suspicion on inciting religious hatred

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) reports that it has documented crimes committed by Metropolitan Luka, born Andrii Kovalenko, of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). He is suspected of inciting religious hatred in Ukraine. Source: the SSU 

Details: The investigation materials indicate that the metropolitan publicly expressed his contempt for parishioners of other denominations. 

He repeatedly mentioned this during communication with parishioners and during church liturgies.  Additionally, the cleric posted provocative messages on Telegram channel, insulting the religious feelings of representatives of other denominations. In this way, he destabilised the socio-political situation in the frontline region in favour of Russia, as the Security Service emphasised.

It is noted that an expertise initiated by the SSU confirmed the facts of the cleric's subversive activities against state security. Based on the collected evidence, he has been served with a notice of suspicion under Article 161.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of equality of citizens based on their race, nationality, regional affiliation, religious beliefs, and other signs). Quote: "The issue of selecting a preventive measure for him is being resolved.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime. The offender faces imprisonment. It is worth remembering that the National Security and Defence Council imposed personal sanctions against him in December 2022."

Background: On 1 May, the SSU launched searches at the home of Metropolitan Luka. For reference: Chesno, a Ukrainian movement focusing on advancing political transparency, reported that Metropolitan Luka was involved in spreading pro-Russian propaganda and justifying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. In 2023, Kovalenko claimed that the scale of the Stalin-Khrushchev persecution of the Church in the Soviet Union was negligible compared to what is happening now in Ukraine.

In 2022, he claimed that Ukrainians deserved Russian bombing because they "tolerated gay pride parades in Kyiv".

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