Russia demands release of Ukrainian Metropolitan Pavlo

Russia demands the release of Metropolitan Pavlo, vicar of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and medical assistance for him.

The relevant remarks came from Gennady Askaldovich, special representative of the Russian foreign minister for cooperation in ensuring the right to freedom of religion, Ambassador at large, Kommersant informs.

He called the actions of the Ukrainian authorities "a gross act of arbitrariness" against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

"We are deeply concerned about the fate of Vladyka Pavel, who is known to be under house arrest and in electronic shackles. His figure acquires for people of goodwill the image of a martyr for the Orthodox faith... We demand the immediate release of Metropolitan Pavel and the provision of appropriate medical care for him," the ambassador wrote on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official website.

On April 1, a case was opened against Metropolitan Pavel over suspicions of collaboration with Russia and inter-religious incitement.

He was placed under house arrest for two months. He considers his arrest to be a "political order". In his place, Metropolitan Onufryy led the UOC service in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the authorities were in control of the situation with spiritual independence.