Moscow Patriarchate Church Metropolitan Pavel to Remain Under House Arrest

The Court of Appeal of Kyiv has rejected the latest attempt by lawyers acting for Metropolitan Pavel of the Russia-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) to get him released from house arrest. His confinement and the requirement to wear an electronic ankle monitor will continue at least until May 30.

According to a report by Hromadske on Friday, April 21, his lawyers demanded the cancellation of the preventive measure, but the panel of judges rejected the appeal, leaving the metropolitan under house arrest.

During the court session, Pavel said he could not charge the electronic bracelet.

"I live in Voronkiv. So I get a call that my bracelet is running out of power. How can I charge it? There is no light. And you can't even talk about communication at all," the former abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra stressed.

On April 13, Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, opened proceedings based on Pavel's complaint.

The Ombudsman received an appeal from the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (men's monastery) of the UOC-MP regarding violating the right to freedom of conscience, religion, and discrimination, signed by Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chornobyl.

In late March, the Shevchenkiv District Court of Kyiv ordered 24-hour house arrest for Metropolitan Pavel. He was searched by employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and accused of supporting Russian aggression and inciting national and religious enmity. 

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