Monks from Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian church detained in Kharkiv for sexual abuse of children
Monks from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) have been accused of sexual offences against girls by law enforcement in Kharkiv. One of them filmed naked minors on his mobile phone, and another engaged in sexual activity with a teenager. Both have been served with notices of suspicion.
Source: Office of the Prosecutor General
Details: Investigators have found that a 52-year-old novice monk, who was responsible for baking, lured the girls to his home under the pretext of offering them sweets. There, the man forced them to go to the bathroom, undress and take a shower.
The monk photographed and filmed the naked girls, storing the recordings on his phone.
Law enforcement officers detained the monk and informed him that he is suspected of producing and possessing child pornography.
However, as the investigation progressed, one of the victims, a 14-year-old girl, spoke of sexual abuse by the man. She claimed that the monk had plied her with alcohol so that she could not resist.
The legal classification of the man's actions will be determined following a further investigation.
In addition, a 24-year-old hieromonk from the same church has been charged. Whilst intoxicated, 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, with the possibility of being barred from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to 3 years.
The novice monk was remanded in custody with bail set at UAH 998,400 (about US$22,600), whilst the hieromonk was placed under house arrest. The prosecution will appeal the decision and demand that both be held in custody without exception.
"We are dealing with immoral crimes where the victims are children. Individuals who should be examples of spirituality and protect the weak exploited the trust of children to satisfy their own cynical needs. Prosecutors will take all necessary measures and conduct a thorough investigation. No case of encroachment on child integrity will go unpunished," said Yurii Papusha, head of Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office.
Background: A priest from the UOC-MP was detained in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for praising Russia and Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a close ally of the Kremlin.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!