Zelensky calls for UK extradites political opponent in Ukraine Orthodox Church row | EUROtoday

A Ukraine MP sheltering in London is about to seem in court docket to combat an extradition request from the Zelensky authorities.

Artem Dmytruk, a former member of Volodymyr Zelensky’s get together, instructed The Independent he was pressured to flee Ukraine due to his opposition to a controversial legislation trying to shut down the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The extradition request is predicated on “hooliganism” costs from an incident he was concerned in 2020 when he tried to drive his means right into a political assembly.

The MP fled to the UK in dramatic fashion by taking a taxi to the Moldovan border, getting into the nation by forests after which flying to Italy earlier than making his method to London the place he has household.

But Dmytruk, who’s a deacon within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, will declare at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday he’s a sufferer of political oppression by the Zelensky authorities due to his help for the UOC.

Mr Zelensky’s makes an attempt to close down the church have raised issues within the Foreign Office (FCDO) and the Church of England on spiritual freedom.

The Ukraine authorities has claimed the UOC spies for Russia and is related to an ally of Vladimir Putin.

Dmytruk instructed The Independent the UK authorities has supplied him with safety since he has been within the nation after fleeing in August.

Ahead of the listening to he mentioned: “Right now there is a political persecution going on against me and my family, against myself for my political views and my support for the UOC.”

Dmytruk represents a district in Odessa which is basically Orthodox.

”I’ve no private points with Zelensky,” he insisted. “It is simply the policies that I disagree with that I think are negatively affecting my constituents.”

But he mentioned that the alleged persecution of the UOC is flawed with clergymen serving on the frontline within the struggle towards Russia which he helps.

He mentioned: “Right now we have priests from our church who are on the front lines. They are serving there. They are taking people who are injured. They’re blessing them.”