The Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized a recent court ruling in Ukraine that allows the government to forcibly remove monks from the historic Kiev Pechersk Lavra monastery. Gennady Askaldovich, a senior Russian diplomat and special envoy on cooperation to ensure freedom of conscience, referred to the decision as “lawless and arbitrary” and accused the Ukrainian officials of fabricating a lawsuit to suit their own interests.
Askaldovich cast doubt on the independence of the Ukrainian courts, suggesting that the system has deteriorated to the point where its decisions cannot be considered legal or legitimate. He described the country’s judiciary as existing in an atmosphere of “high politicization, legal lawlessness, and moral terror.” He expressed skepticism that attempts to appeal the court ruling would result in a different outcome, but suggested that international courts might pay attention to the legal nihilism in Ukraine and make a fair judgment. However, he also acknowledged the possibility that international bodies might be slow to react, potentially resulting in the Lavra being “ransacked.”
The ruling, issued by a Ukrainian court, permits the eviction of the monks from the monastery. This decision followed a previous ruling by the same court, which upheld the government’s right to terminate a lease deal with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) for the monastery. The UOC’s legal team has argued that the court committed several violations during the proceedings and claimed that the ruling was influenced by government pressure. They have vowed to appeal the decision.
The UOC has faced increasing pressure from Ukrainian authorities amidst the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Although the Church formally severed its ties with Moscow early in the conflict, it has still faced persecution. Ukrainian officials have displayed clear favoritism towards the so-called Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), a schismatic entity established in 2018 with the involvement of former president Pyotr Poroshenko. The OCU has actively pursued claims on properties controlled by the canonical UOC, with the government supporting these efforts. For example, the Ukrainian Culture Minister, Aleksandr Tkachenko, stated in March that monks who defected from the UOC to the OCU would be allowed to stay at the Lavra. Additionally, approximately one-third of Ukraine’s regions have chosen to ban the canonical church outright.
The situation surrounding the Kiev Pechersk Lavra highlights the ongoing religious tensions in Ukraine and raises concerns about the impartiality of the country’s legal system. The condemnation from the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasizes the extent to which this issue has strained relations between Russia and Ukraine. The fate of the monks and the future of the Lavra now rest on the outcome of potential appeals and the actions of international courts, which could play a pivotal role in addressing the alleged legal negligence and protecting the rights of religious communities.
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