Monks from Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian church detained in Kharkiv for sexually abusing girls
Two monks from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) have been accused of sexual offences against girls by law enforcement agencies in Kharkiv. One of them filmed underage girls in the nude on his mobile phone, and another engaged in sexual activity with a teenage girl. Both have been served with notices of suspicion.
Source: Office of the Prosecutor General
Details: The investigators found that a 52-year-old novice monk, who was responsible for baking, would lure girls to his home on the pretext of offering them sweet treats. Once there, the man would force them to go to the bathroom, undress and take a shower.
The monk took nude photos and videos of the girls and stored them on his phone.
Law enforcement officers detained the monk and served him with a notice of suspicion for making and possessing child pornography.
As the investigation progressed, one of the victims, a 14-year-old girl, said she had been sexually abused by the man. She maintained that the monk would ply her with alcohol so that she was unable to put up any resistance.
The legal classification of the man's actions will be determined following a further investigation.
Another notice of suspicion has been served on a 24-year-old hieromonk (a monk who is also a priest) from the same church. While under the influence of alcohol, he lured a 14-year-old girl into the basement of one of the monastery buildings, where he engaged in sexual activity with her.
The offence has been classified under Article 155.1 of the Criminal Code – committing actions of a sexual nature with a person under the age of 16.
The hieromonk faces between 5 and 8 years in prison and may be barred from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to 3 years.
The novice monk has been remanded in custody with bail set at UAH 998,400 (about US$22,600), whilst the hieromonk has been placed under house arrest. The prosecution will appeal the decision and demand that both be held in custody with no option of bail.
Yurii Papusha, head of Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office, said: "We are dealing with immoral crimes where the victims are children. People who are supposed to be models of spirituality and to protect the weak exploited the trust of children to satisfy their own selfish needs. The prosecutors will take all necessary measures and conduct a thorough investigation. No case of encroachment on child integrity will go unpunished."
Previously: A priest from the UOC-MP was detained in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for praising Russia and Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a close ally of the Kremlin.
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