ROC priest in Sumy sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying
The priest collected data on the number of soldiers in the region and their weaponsA priest of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast was convicted of treason for having collaborated with Russian intelligence services, Sumy regional Prosecutor's Office announced via Facebook on Oct. 25.The court established that, following the Russian invasion, an FSB (Russian security service) officer engaged in dialogue with a priest from one of the temples in the Shostka district. The priest agreed to cooperate, as he harbored pro-Russian sentiments and was expectantly awaiting the advent of "Russian World," the prosecution said.Read also: Bulgaria expels Russian orthodox priests over national security threat ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementThe priest collected data on the number of Ukrainian military units in the region, their armaments, as well as information on local government officials, law enforcement agencies, public activists, their political views and their influence among th
A priest of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast was convicted of treason for having collaborated with Russian intelligence services, Sumy regional Prosecutor's Office announced via Facebook on Oct. 25.
The court established that, following the Russian invasion, an FSB (Russian security service) officer engaged in dialogue with a priest from one of the temples in the Shostka district. The priest agreed to cooperate, as he harbored pro-Russian sentiments and was expectantly awaiting the advent of "Russian World," the prosecution said.
Read also: Bulgaria expels Russian orthodox priests over national security threat
The priest collected data on the number of Ukrainian military units in the region, their armaments, as well as information on local government officials, law enforcement agencies, public activists, their political views and their influence among the local population.
In addition, he documented exact addresses, photographed areas where Ukrainian servicemen and military vehicles in the Shostka district were located. He also gathered information about patriotic-minded citizens who held significant sway over the Ukrainian society.
Read also: Moscow Patriarchate church priest detained for using church as an arms dealership — SBU
The data he compiled was shared confidentially with an FSB operative via messenger apps.
The priest was arrested on March 1, 2023. On Oct. 25, he was found guilty of committing high treason. He was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment with property confiscation.
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