Ukraine puts Patriarch Kirill on wanted list
It is only symbolic: but Kiev has put the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, on the list of wanted persons. Ukraine accuses the ardent supporter of Moscow's war of aggression of two offenses.
Ukraine has issued a symbolic wanted notice for the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, as an important supporter of Russia's war of aggression. The Ukrainian Ministry of the Interior in Kiev has placed the church leader, whose real name is Vladimir Gundyayev, on the list of wanted persons. His whereabouts were given as Moscow.
Gundyayev is wanted by the Ukrainian secret service SBU and is said to have been hiding from official investigations since November 11. The 77-year-old Moscow patriarch is accused of two offenses, the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported. The charges relate to attacks on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the planning, preparation, initiation and execution of a war of aggression.
Kirill is considered a close supporter of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Like Putin, he advocates Russia's claim to rule over the neighboring countries in which Russians live. In Ukraine, he still has influence over the priests and communities that profess allegiance to the Moscow Patriarchate. The Ukrainian leadership is therefore trying to curtail the power of the church from the enemy country.
According to Ukrinform, the SBU and the Ukrainian General Prosecutor's Office opened criminal proceedings against Kirill in November. According to the statement, he is part of the closest Russian leadership circle, justifies the war and uses the Ukrainian communities for his propaganda. The patriarch lives under good security in Moscow, so the risk of him being arrested by Ukraine is low.
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Following the Ukrainian authorities' actions, international attention has focused on Vladimir Putin's close ally, Patriarch Kirill. Amidst the ongoing Attack on Ukraine, Russia's support remains unwavering, and Kirill's role as a supporter is being scrutinized.
Source: www.ntv.de
