Journalist slandering UOC bishop renounces her channel in court
Sonya Koshkina (right) renounced her channel. Photo: Telegram channel Sonya Koshkina (official)
Journalist Sonya Koshkina, who in November 2022 published defamatory statements about Bishop Nikita of Ivano-Frankivsk on her Telegram channel Sonya Koshkina (official) disassociated herself from this channel during a court hearing. As reported, this statement was made on behalf of Koshkina (real name Ksenia Vasilenko) by her lawyer during a court hearing at the Shevchenkivsky District Court on October 6, 2023.
Bishop Nikita's lawyer said that the hierarch had filed a lawsuit in defence of his honour and dignity against the newspaper "Levy Bereh" (“Left Bank”) demanding that they retract the defamatory statements originally posted on the Telegram channel Sonya Koshkina (official). The bishop also sought compensation for moral damages, estimated at 100,000 UAH, which he intended to donate to the "Return Alive" Charitable Foundation.
According to the attorney, the court was unable to pass judgment on the case because Koshkina's lawyer stated during the hearing that the channel Sonya Koshkina (official) does not belong to her client, and therefore, she cannot be held responsible for its content.
The next court session is scheduled for November 29, 2023.
As reported, Archimandrite (future Bishop of Ivano-Frankivsk) Nikita claimed that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) forced him to undress and face the wall during a search at the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy.
Read also
In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom
Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."
Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot
The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.
Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children
“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.
His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv
At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.
Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects
According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.