Police: We Cannot Hold Pilgrims Accountable in Pochaiv
Law enforcement officers are accompanying pilgrims on the Pochaiv cross procession for safety reasons.
The police of Khmelnytskyi Oblast have acknowledged the impossibility of bringing administrative charges against participants of the tens-of-thousands-strong cross procession of the UOC to the Pochaiv Lavra. This was reported by ZAXID.NET.
A representative of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast Military Administration, Liudmyla Cherevchenko, confirmed that the ban imposed by the oblast defense council on holding mass events had been violated. However, the official acknowledged the authorities' inability to punish the faithful.
"Currently, the law permits religious events held on the premises of places of worship, funerals, and volunteer actions," said Liudmyla Cherevchenko. "But here it turns out that people simply got up and went on their own. If there is an organizer, then administrative liability may be applicable. However, we cannot identify any organizers."
The spokesperson of the Main Police Directorate in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Inna Hleha, confirmed the official's words. According to the department's representative, law enforcement officers are accompanying the column solely to prevent road accidents and maintain public order.
"We cannot find the organizers," stated Inna Hleha. "When questioned, these pilgrims say: we are walking on our own, and others are joining us. Of course, police officers in each community follow the column to prevent accidents and ensure public order. So far, no violations have been recorded."
As the UOJ reported, the faithful of Bukovyna supported the pilgrims heading to Pochaiv.
