Lawyer: Court prevents the appeal against house arrest of Lavra's abbot

Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed) and Archpriest Nikita Chekman in court. Photo: focus.ua

The judge and staff of the Solomiansky District Court in Kyiv are obstructing the appeal hearing of the defence of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra abbot, Metropolitan Pavel, regarding the court's decision to extend the hierarch's round-the-clock house arrest, reports the abbot’s lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, on his Telegram channel.

He explained that on June 27, 2023, the Kyiv Appellate Court was scheduled to consider the appellate complaints of Metropolitan Pavel's defenders, but the hearing was once again postponed due to the fact that the case materials had not been received from the Solomiansky District Court.

"We emphasize that ensuring the right to appeal review is one of the fundamental principles of judicial proceedings, however, both Judge Krivorot O. A. of the Solomiansky District Court in Kyiv and the court clerks are actively trying to obstruct the realization of this right," wrote the lawyer.

According to him, the defenders of Metropolitan Pavel went to the Solomiansky District Court to find out why they are not responding to the request of the Kyiv Appellate Court for the submission of documents.

"We hope that after this, the case materials will be transferred for the exercise of the right to appeal review and the fair decision-making in accordance with the principle of the rule of law," the lawyer noted.

As reported, on May 29, the Solomiansky District Court extended Metropolitan Pavel's house arrest for an additional 30 days.

Read also

Interview with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR

The Southern Clergy Retreat and the Growth of Orthodoxy in the South

Christian Orthodox Coalition Calls for Action Amid Syrian Crisis

March 19, 2025 – The Christian Orthodox Coalition in the United States has issued a powerful statement condemning the ongoing persecution of Orthodox Christians in war-torn Syria.