A priest from one of the temples in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast has been convicted of treason for collaborating with Russian intelligence services, according to the Sumy regional Prosecutor’s Office. The announcement was made via Facebook on October 25. The priest, who belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), was found guilty of working with an FSB (Russian security service) officer in the Shostka district. The court determined that the priest had pro-Russian sentiments and was eagerly awaiting the advent of the “Russian World.”
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The priest was responsible for collecting data on the number of Ukrainian military units in the region, along with information about their weaponry. Additionally, he gathered information on local government officials, law enforcement agencies, public activists, their political views, and their influence within the local population.
The priest went as far as documenting the precise addresses of Ukrainian servicemen and military vehicles in the Shostka district, even taking photographs. He also sought information about patriotic-minded citizens who held significant influence over Ukrainian society.
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The priest shared the compiled data with an FSB operative through messenger apps, ensuring its confidentiality.
The arrest of the priest took place on March 1, 2023. On October 25, he was convicted of high treason and sentenced to 15 years in prison, along with the confiscation of his property.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine.
