Court denies appeal, keeps Metropolitan Arseniy in custody

Metropolitan Arseniy. Photo: facebook.com/svlavra

On June 4, 2025, a hearing was held at the Dnipro Court of Appeals in the case of Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk. The court rejected all appeals filed by the defense and upheld the decision to keep the metropolitan in custody until the end of July, the press service of the Sviatohirsk Lavra reports.

The hearing considered the defense’s appeal against the ruling of the Sloviansk City District Court issued on May 23, which had extended the pre-trial detention of the hierarch until the end of July.

Metropolitan Arseniy’s lawyers argued that the charges against him were unfounded, highlighting his patriotic stance, his contribution to the spiritual and social life of Ukraine, and his deteriorating health condition. They requested that the court replace the measure of restraint with one not involving deprivation of liberty.

Metropolitan Arseniy has been held in the Dnipro pre-trial detention center since April 25, 2024. Faithful of the Church continue to offer prayers for the imprisoned bishop and the brethren of the Lavra.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Sloviansk court had extended the metropolitan’s detention until the end of July despite the absence of his lawyers at the prior hearing.

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