Metropolitan Arseniy moved to nighttime house arrest

Metropolitan Arseniy. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra

On June 11, 2026, another hearing in the case of Metropolitan Arseniy, abbot of Sviatohirsk Lavra, was held at the Chechelivskyi District Court. This was reported by the Sviatohirsk Lavra's press service.

The court considered the issue of a further preventive measure due to the expiration of the previous one. Prosecutors requested that round-the-clock house arrest be extended for two months, while the defense insisted that it be replaced with nighttime house arrest. Metropolitan Arseniy and his lawyers took part in the hearing by video conference. Clergy and faithful of the UOC, as well as MP Viktoria Hryb, came to the courtroom to support the hierarch.

The defense’s main argument was the bishop’s health after heart surgery.

“The recommendations of cardiac surgeons state that during rehabilitation I need to go outside for fresh air. My physical activity is limited, yet it is necessary for restoring my health after the operation and almost two years of imprisonment,” Metropolitan Arseniy said.

The defense also noted that no violations of procedural obligations had been recorded on the hierarch’s part. Metropolitan Arseniy again stressed that he does not admit guilt.

“Life for the sake of the flock and the people of Ukraine is my only ‘guilt,’” he said.

Judge Tetiana Bezruk ruled to extend the preventive measure for two months, until August 11, 2026, while replacing round-the-clock house arrest with nighttime house arrest. Under the ruling, which entered into force on the day it was issued, Metropolitan Arseniy must remain at the place of arrest from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; at all other times, his movement is not restricted. The next hearing is scheduled for June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the court released Metropolitan Arseniy to house arrest after almost two years in pre-trial detention. Soon afterward, he underwent heart surgery.

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