MP on Met. Arseniy's detention: "This is an attempt to destroy a person"

Judge announces the decision to keep Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk in custody until October 13. Photo: Screenshot from Suspilne video.

Artem Dmytruk, who, along with eight other members of parliament, submitted a petition for the release of Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk under their personal guarantee, strongly reacted to the extension of the hierarch's detention until October 13.

“Metropolitan Arseniy has been in detention for 113 days. Today's court session once again proved that the authorities are willing to do anything to destroy the hierarch,” Dmytruk wrote in his Telegram channel on the evening of August 15.

He believes that the hierarch, who is one of the pillars of Orthodoxy in our country, is being held in prison without any grounds other than his faith.

“He has committed no crimes. His only 'crime' is that he practices the Orthodox Faith and stands up for it! This is why he is being punished. He is punished for his devotion to Christ and his thousands of parishioners!” he emphasized.

The MP stated that the judge cynically ignored the petition for the release of the hierarch under the personal guarantee of the members of parliament.

“This is not just systematic disregard for the law; it is a deliberate attempt to destroy a person and, at the same time, to attempt to destroy the Ukrainian Orthodox Church!” added Artem Dmytruk.

He wrote to Metropolitan Arseniy expressing his belief in his imminent release.

“Millions of people around the world are praying for you! Justice will surely prevail!” the MP's message stated.

As reported by the UOJ, the hierarch's defenders had requested changing his pre-trial detention to house arrest. Nine MPs prepared a petition for the release of the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra under their personal guarantee. These MPs are Yuriy Boyko, Vitaliy Bort, Viktoriya Gryb, Artem Dmytruk, Serhiy Dunaev, Serhiy Larin, Pavlo Khalimon, Yuriy Pavlenko, and Artem Kultenko.

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