According to the SBU and the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a 52-year-old monk and a 24-year-old hieromonk sexually abused underage girls and took photos and videos of child abuse.
The 52-year-old monk, who worked at the monastery bakery, invited the girls to his home under the pretext of treating them to sweets. The investigation claims that he forced the children to undress, took their photos, and stored pornographic materials on his phone. One of the 14-year-old victims also reported being raped while she was helpless after the suspect gave her alcohol.
The 24-year-old hieromonk, while intoxicated, took a 14-year-old girl to the basement of the monastery building, where he “performed sexual acts with her in an unnatural manner.”
The leadership of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office emphasizes the immorality of the crimes, since individuals who should have been an example of spirituality cynically exploited children’s trust. Prosecutors will demand in the appellate court unconditional detention for both defendants. The maximum penalty under the incriminated articles is up to 12 years of imprisonment.
Representatives of the Kharkiv Eparchy of the UOC (MP) have not yet commented on the situation.
