The Prosecutor General’s Office has referred to court the criminal case against the 51-year-old head of the “Russian Orthodox Church of the Tsarist Empire”. The religious organisation was previously designated as an extremist formation.
The man is charged with leading an unregistered religious organisation, inciting national hatred and discord, and creating and participating in an extremist formation.
“According to the case materials, the accused, acting as part of an organised group with other individuals, led a religious organisation called the ‘Russian Orthodox Church of the Tsarist Empire’.
He also headed an extremist formation bearing the same name, whose activities were aimed at inciting national and religious hatred and discord.
Notably, before committing the alleged offences, the man had a job, a home, a family and was raising children.
After becoming involved in pseudo-religious teachings and joining a destructive sect, he divorced his wife, left home, adopted an antisocial lifestyle, embarked on a criminal path and attempted to involve other citizens in these activities,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
The charges were brought under Part 3 of Article 130, Part 2 of Article 193 and Part 1 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code. The man remains in custody.