Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebed)
Metropolitan of Chernobyl and Vyshhorod, Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Pavlo (secular name: Petro Lebed)
Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Vicar of the Kyiv Metropolitanate, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Chairman of the Synodal Commission for Monastic Affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, permanent member of the Holy Synod of the UOC
On March 30, 1994, he was appointed Abbot of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
The persecution of Metropolitan Pavlo by representatives of the Ukrainian authorities began at the height of the state campaign to expropriate the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
In late March 2023, the Ukrainian authorities attempted to seize control of the monastery's premises by force. This provoked resistance from Orthodox believers, who came out to defend the monastery.
It was at this moment — at the peak of the standoff over the monastery — that the SBU opened criminal cases against the monastery's abbot.
Metropolitan Pavlo was arrested on April 1, 2023, at approximately 7:30 a.m., directly during a church service.
Metropolitan Pavlo is charged under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (incitement of religious hatred) and Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation).
A few hours after the notice of suspicion was served on Metropolitan Pavlo, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv began considering the question of selecting a preventive measure. In court, the bishop stated that his health had deteriorated, after which Judge Vadym Kovtunenko agreed to postpone the hearing to the morning of April 3.
However, just two hours later, the judge reversed his decision without explanation, recalled both parties, and issued an order for the compulsory appearance of the metropolitan, despite his health condition. At 6:30 p.m., the bishop was compelled to return to court directly from the hospital.
Attorney Nikita Chekman drew attention to the judge's unjustified change of position. In response, the judge explained that the decision was made to hold the hearing immediately "so as not to interfere with treatment," which appears cynical given the effective coercion to participate in the proceedings. The defense twice filed motions to recuse the judge on grounds of suspected bias; both motions were denied.
Upon an oral motion by the defense, the court prohibited journalists from photographing or filming Metropolitan Pavlo; however, this requirement was widely disregarded. The entire situation points to a disregard for procedural norms, human rights, and the physical condition of the bishop, who was subjected to obvious moral and physical suffering.
On the same day, the court selected a preventive measure — 60 days of round-the-clock house arrest with an electronic ankle bracelet.
On July 14, 2023, allegedly due to violations of the terms of his confinement, the court changed the preventive measure to pre-trial detention, with the option of release on bail of UAH 33.3 million.
These actions were taken to isolate the hierarch from his flock and the monastery's monastic brotherhood.
On August 7, 2023, Metropolitan Pavlo was released from custody after bail was posted (the funds were collected from a large number of parishioners on his behalf).
� (Source: Channel "Pershyi Kozatskyi")
Following his release on bail, he continued to remain under legal restrictions: the court ordered the Metropolitan to wear an electronic ankle bracelet, remain at his place of residence, notify the investigator before traveling in cases of urgent necessity or for medical reasons, and to "appear upon demand of the investigation or court."
КУ ст. 35 (свобода вероисповедания) · ЕСПЧ ст. 9 · Нормы ООН