Metropolitan Longin of Banchensk accuses the Bukovinian publications “Bukinfo” and “Chas” for inciting religious hatred. In this regard, he filed a complaint with the police, the journalists of these publications report.

According to the journalists, their activity consisted in “providing information with documentary details of the anti-state activities of Metropolitan Longin in his recent past.”

“Therefore, we cannot regard these statements as nothing more than pressure on the independent media of Bukovina,” they added.

The following publication appeared on the page of the Telegram channel of the Chas edition:

“Moscow priests in Ukraine will not calm down in any way. They oppose the state, they direct rashist missiles at Ukrainian cities that kill Ukrainian people, children, consecrate weapons and Russian fascists, they themselves take up arms and fight against Ukraine. And in the Chernivtsi region there are such a priest is Zhar, who opposes Ukraine.”

According to journalists, “in order to avert suspicion,” the metropolitan filed a statement against the publications, in which “he asks to initiate a criminal case and imprison the editorial office under article 161 part 1 up to 5 years of restriction of freedom and three years of not holding certain positions.”