Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate, former governor of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Pavel Lebid, better known as "Pasha Mercedes", was extended a preventive measure in the form of house arrest.

This was reported by the Suspilne correspondent.

The relevant decision was made by judges of the Solomyansky District Court of Kyiv. They extended round-the-clock house arrest until July 1 with the obligation to wear a bracelet.

"We ask you to extend house arrest until July 1, on suspicion of Petro Lebid, of justifying armed aggression (of Russia - ed.) and humiliating citizens due to religious beliefs. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, during the investigative actions, it has been established that it can influence witnesses," prosecutor Yevhen Zavistovsky said in the petition.

The Metropolitan reacted to the motion of the prosecutor and the investigator of the SBU very violently: "Are you not ashamed that you write? One and the other," he said.

During a meeting on May 29, the former governor of the Lavra deniedties with the Moscow Patriarchate, and also expressed indignation over the nickname "Pasha Mercedes".

"The fact that the prosecutors of the Moscow Patriarchate stuck to us and the fact that I incite hostility is not true. We profess peacefulness. I disagree with the prosecutor. I haven't violated anything in two months. I support the state, I want the end of Russian aggression. On what basis am I credited with a preventive measure? I understood that this is a political [issue]," the suspect said indignantly.

It is noted that lawyer Oleg Povalyaev asked to call "the so-called victims", but the judge rejected the petition, referring to the fact that such measures are carried out during the trial. Another lawyer, Mykyta Chekman, asked the court to appoint a measure of restraint in the form of a personal commitment, as well as to remove the electronic bracelet from the metropolitan in view of Pavel's alleged state of health.

"

It has an impeccable reputation, its efforts rebuilt the monastery. Round-the-clock house arrest is equivalent to detention. There is no reason to continue," Chekman argued.

What is suspected ex-governor of the Lavra, Metropolitan Paul?

On April 1, the Shevchenko court of the capital chose a measure of restraint for the vicar of the UOC-MP monastery in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel, in the form of two months of house arrest wearing an electronic bracelet. The priest is accused of inciting interreligious hatred, as well as justifying Russia's armed aggression in Ukraine.

Pasha Mercedes has never concealed his special attitude to Russia and negative attitude to everything Ukrainian. Among his statements are:

  • On January 22, 2014, during the service, Metropolitan Pavlo compared Viktor Yanukovych with Jesus Hia Christ and assured him of his support.
  • In 2018, he said that Crimea had never been Ukrainian.
  • In 2019, Ukraine was a low aggressor in the war in Donbas.
  • In 2020, during the XVIII International Festival of Orthodox Cinema "Pokrov", the governor declared the need for unity with Russia.

Read also:

  • Conflict in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra: UOC-MP Metropolitan Pavlo threatened media representatives with physical force
  • "I don't want to beckon, everything is so homely here": The network exploded with memes around the eviction of MP from the Lavra
  • Supporters of the UOC-MP gathered again in the Lavra: photos, videos