Law enforcers in Zakarpattia Region have completed a pre-trial investigation into the case of two clergymen of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church accused of “propaganda of communist ideology”. Prosecutors plan to ask the priests at the trial up to 5 years of imprisonment. This is reported by the “Portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs”.

“30-year-old and 43-year-old clerics from Tyachiv district in social networks publicly planted the audience narratives of the communist regime. In addition, the men distributed symbols and Russian slogans banned in Ukraine, as well as propagandized the totalitarian regime. The defendants are charged with part 1 of Article 436-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Production, distribution of communist, Nazi symbols and propaganda of communist and national socialist (Nazi) totalitarian regimes). The indictments together with the materials of criminal proceedings will be sent for judicial consideration. According to the sanction of the article, the defendants face up to 5 years in prison with or without confiscation of property,” – stated in the message.

We will remind, earlier we reported that the Security Service of Ukraine said that they had collected evidence of “anti-Ukrainian activities” of the rector of the temple and the priest of the monastery of the Khustka diocese of the UOC in Transcarpathia. According to the Raskolam.net editorial board, the reason for the accusation was the “Happy Victory Day” greeting cards that the priests posted on their social networks.