Metropolitan Ionafan, the abbot of the Tulchin Diocese in the Vinnytsia region, who was sentenced in August 2023 to five years in prison for justifying Russian aggression, was transferred to Russia and also released from criminal liability as part of the exchange.
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This was reported by the publication “Glavkom” with reference to Jonathan’s lawyer Igor Chudovsky.
Serving a sentence for the heart-sick Metropolitan was tantamount to the death penalty,” the lawyer said. “The defense did everything possible to ease the fate of the elderly, sick man who was in captivity and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the lawyer, the Metropolitan also intends to appeal his earlier sentence in the Supreme Court.
The publication, citing a source concerning the exchange, reports that the exchange took place on June 22 at the border with Belarus. Under Jonathan, the Russian side gave up several prisoners of war.
Jonathan’s value is that he was exchanged for several Ukrainian prisoners of war who were held captive in Russia,” the publication’s interlocutor noted.
It is noted that it was Russia that initiated the release of Jonathan, in particular, the corresponding official appeal came from the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill.
The Russian Orthodox Church also announced the transfer of Jonathan to Russia on June 22 on its website, publishing the news that he met with Russian Patriarch Kirill.
Source: “Glavcom”
Source: Racurs
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