Kiev, February 14, 2024
Photo: spzh.media
Yesterday, February 13, a Kiev court set bail and imposed restrictive measures on a monk of the Kiev Caves Lavra who has become the State Security Service’s (SBU) latest target.
Though the prosecutor asked for a bail of $13,110 (500,000 hryvnia) for Archdeacon Pavel (Muzychko), the judge set it at $3,175 (21,000 hryvnia). He also ruled that he must wear an ankle bracelet, reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists, whose correspondent was present in court.
Fr. Pavel must also hand over his passport throughout the pre-trial investigation until April 9, not leave Kiev without official permission, not contact any witnesses in the criminal case, and be ready to come to court whenever called.
On Friday, February 9, SBU officers conducted a search at the Lavra, after which Hierodeacon Pavel, known as one of the most vocal defenders of the Lavra from amongst the brethren, was taken away for questioning.
Fr. Pavel was then informed that he is under investigation for “organizing provocations in the Kiev Caves Lavra.” The SBU also claims that he “acted in favor of the aggressor country” by allegedly praising the Russian military and trying to discredit the Ukrainian army.
According to the investigation Fr. Pavel is one of the closest associates of the Lavra abbot, His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod, who has been a target of the SBU since last April. He is also forced to wear an ankle bracelet and several months in house arrest away from his monastery home or in a pre-trial detention center.
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