Police opens a criminal case on the conflict in Zadubrivka

Information about the incident in Zadubrivka was entered in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations. Photo: chas.cv.ua

The police opened a criminal investigation “upon the incident between religious communities” in the village of Zadubrivka in the Zastavna district, the police communications department of the Chernivtsi Region reported on May 5, 2020.

“On May 4 in the evening near the church in the village of Zadubrivka, a conflict arose between believers. Police officers settled the incident, interviewed its participants and established the circumstances of the incident. The police found out that at about 10 p.m., a conflict arose between the members of the two religious communities on the territory of the church in Zadubrivka village, which turned into a short fight. During the incident, two parishioners were injured and taken to hospital. After administering first aid, the doctors let the victims go home,” the report said.

It is noted that law enforcement officers identified persons involved in unlawful acts and drew up protocols on them under Article 173 (Petty Hooliganism) of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.

The information about the incident is also included in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations on the grounds of Part 2 of Article 161 (Violation of the equal rights of citizens on the basis of their race, nationality, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The police began a pre-trial investigation.

“The employees of the special police company and the Zastavna police station continue to guard the religious building around the clock and ensure the rule of law. Police officers are carrying out preventive work with the believers to prevent confrontations on religious grounds,” the press service of the police in the Chernivtsi region said.

Recall, in the evening of May 4, 2020, on the day of the death of Archpriest Leonid Delikatny, the rector of the UOC parish in Zadubrivka, the adherents of the new church structure took another raider attack on the temple. In connection with the incident, the UOC Chancellor Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) appealed to the authorities.

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