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Ukrainian Security Service confirms charges against Metropolitan Pavel

According to the Ukraine’s Security Service, Metropolitan Pavel is charged with inciting religious hatred and justifying Russia’s actions in Ukraine

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed that it brought charges against Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monastery.

"The SBU has brought charges against Metropolitan Pavel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," the agency said in a statement on Telegram.

According to the SBU, Metropolitan Pavel is charged with inciting religious hatred and justifying Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Law enforcement officers searched the metropolitan’s residents on Saturday morning. He told reporters that he had been placed under house arrest.

On March 10, the directorate of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra reserve terminated the open-ended lease with the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and ordered its monks to leave the monastery. Metropolitan Pavel slammed these actions as illegal and declared the monks’ refusal to leave.

On Thursday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture’s commission arrived at the Lavra for a property inventory but the monks and parishioners did not allow it to enter the monastery. Both parties went to court. However, the hearing of the case of the wrongful termination of the lease is scheduled for April 26, while the Ministry of Culture demands that the monks immediately leave the monastery.

The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, founded in the 11th century, is one of Russia's first monasteries and the oldest monastery in modern-day Ukraine.

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