A former deacon of the UOC-MP helped evaders go abroad under the guise of “missionaries”. Man detained by SBU (photo)
The Security Service of Ukraine detained a former deacon of the UOC-MP in Odesa region who sent men of military age abroad as “church missionaries” for a fee of $4,500.
The suspect falsified “missionary lists” and tried to illegally take six people abroad, claiming that they had permission from the head of the diocese to travel to the EU on a religious mission. The detainee was searched and his computers, phones, SIM cards and money received for “services” were seized.
The person was served a notice of suspicion of illegal transportation of people across the state border (Part 3 of Art. 332 of the Criminal Code), which provides for a sentence of up to 9 years in prison with confiscation of property.