Case against priest Pivovarov comes to court

A criminal case against Viktor Pivovarov, Archbishop of the Slavyansk-on-Kuban and South Russian Russia’s Orthodox Church, has been submitted to the Slavyansk-on-Kuban City Court for consideration.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on December 28, it became known that Archbishop Viktor (Pivovarov) was accused in a criminal case on discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. The reason for the institution of the criminal case was his article condemning the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine. Viktor Pivovarov associated the criminal case instituted against him with his message to believers.

The website of the Slavyansk-on-Kuban City Court clarifies that Viktor Pivovarov is charged under the article “Public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Armed Forces in Russia” (the article provides for up to seven years of imprisonment, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”).

Let us remind you that in October 2023, the Russia’s Orthodox Church reported that searches were carried out in the St. Intercession-Tikhon Church in Slavyansk-on-Kuban in connection with the repeated discrediting of the Russian Armed Forces by Archbishop of the Slavyansk-on-Kuban and South Russian Russia’s Orthodox Church Viktor (Pivovarov).

The “Caucasian Knot” has also reported that in March 2023, the court fined Viktor Pivovarov under the administrative article on discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. The Archbishop confirmed that during his sermon held at a cathedral, he voiced the statement which the court recognized as discrediting the Russian Army.