Ukraine has issued a search and arrest warrant against the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill, after accusing him of two charges related to the war that Russia launched 661 days ago against the neighboring country and which carry a life sentence.
According to the Ukrinform agency, Kirill, who has justified the Kremlin’s war on numerous occasions and is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was put on the Interior Ministry’s wanted list the day before.
The order was issued by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) with the argument that the Russian patriarch “is hiding” from a preliminary investigation.
Kirill is charged with two crimes under the Criminal Code of Ukraine: “usurpation of the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine”, and “planning, preparing, resolving and conducting a war of aggression.”
The Ministry of the Interior has posted a photograph of the patriarch next to his details, which include his secular name, Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundiayev, his date of birth and the accusation against him, as well as an SBU contact number.
According to Ukrinform, these crimes, which can be tried in absentia, carry a sentence of life imprisonment.
According to the same source, Kirill was informed about the charges that the SBU has brought against him.
