Сourt hearing held in Cherkasy in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy
The court chose a preventive measure for the ruling bishop of the Cherkasy Eparchy.
On January 23, in Cherkasy, the Sosnivskyi District Court extended the preventive measure for Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv. The hearing was held online, as reported by Suspilne correspondents.
Prosecutor Vadym Kolomiets requested the extension of the nighttime house arrest for the metropolitan from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM. He insisted that the hierarch of the UOC "exerted pressure on witnesses during the court hearings", and that a key witness had disappeared.
The metropolitan’s defense lawyer, Volodymyr Yudin, rejected these claims, calling the prosecutor's request false and manipulative:
"Currently, there are no grounds cited by the prosecutor. The defendant did not pressure or insult witnesses."
The defense also requested the release of the metropolitan on personal recognizance. Lawyer Tamara Hrydenko added that the prosecutors had a biased attitude towards her client. According to the defense, accusations should be supported by evidence, not assumptions.
After deliberation, the judge decided to extend the preventive measure – nighttime house arrest from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM for 60 days, until March 23.
As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Theodosiy remained under nighttime house arrest but was allowed to remove his electronic bracelet.