Lawyers file complaints with SBI and police over TRC abduction of UOC priest

The abduction of a priest in Lutsk. Photo: Pervyi Kazatsky

Lawyers representing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have taken a series of legal steps following the forcible abduction of Archpriest Ioann Kuzminsky, rector of the St. John the Merciful Church of the UOC in the village of Liubche, Volyn Eparchy, by Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support (TRC) personnel. The development was announced by UOC attorney Archpriest Nikita Chekman.

According to Fr. Nikita, the legal team's objective is to ensure a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the incident and to obtain a proper legal assessment of the actions of the officials involved.

The lawyers have sent formal requests to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and the Volyn Regional TRC, demanding information on the legality of the officers' actions, the scope of their authority, and the legal grounds for the use of physical force.

In addition, criminal complaints have been filed with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the National Police of Ukraine under Article 146 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which concerns unlawful deprivation of liberty or kidnapping. The legal team has asked investigators to enter the case into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations and launch a formal criminal investigation.

The lawyers have also submitted a complaint to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), alleging violations of the priest's constitutional rights, including his rights to liberty and personal security. They have asked the Ombudsman to exercise parliamentary oversight and provide a legal assessment of the officials' conduct.

"No public official is above the law, and any manifestations of arbitrariness, violence, or abuse of official authority must receive an appropriate legal assessment, regardless of rank, position, or institutional affiliation," Archpriest Nikita Chekman said.

He added that the legal team continues to gather evidence, interview witnesses, analyze video footage, and prepare additional procedural documents.

As the UOJ previously reported, a video circulated online showing masked men forcibly detaining Archpriest Ioann Kuzminsky, rector of the St. John the Merciful Church of the UOC in the village of Liubche in the Volyn Eparchy.

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