The Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeals upheld the sentence handed down to a clergyman who assaulted a soldier for criticizing the Moscow Patriarchate

On October 22, 2024, a panel of judges at the Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeals upheld the verdict of the Khmelnytskyi City and District Court of Khmelnytskyi Oblast, which found Igor Slobodyan, a clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), was found guilty of committing a criminal offense under Part 2 of Article 125 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for intentionally inflicting bodily harm on military serviceman Artur Ananyev.

As a reminder, in April 2023, Igor Slobodyan assaulted serviceman Artur Ananyev inside one of the UOC-MP churches in Khmelnytskyi. The incident occurred after Ananyev addressed the parishioners with the words: “How many more people must die before you stop attending the Moscow Patriarchate?”

According to the verdict, Ihor Slobodyan was sentenced to one year and six months of probation, and the civil claim filed by the victim, Artur Ananyev, was upheld.

This case clearly demonstrates that violence cannot be justified under any circumstances, especially in places that are meant to be centers of spirituality and peace. Conflicts, even against the backdrop of deep religious or ideological differences, must be resolved in a civilized manner—through dialogue and mutual respect.
It is particularly important to emphasize the need to respect the military personnel who defend our country. Any acts of aggression against those who fight for the freedom and security of our people not only violate the law but also undermine the foundations of morality and social unity.

The victim’s interests were represented by Partner at Barristers Andriy Yosypov and attorneys Dmytro Zeleniuk and Dima Piven.