Credo (08.11.2021) – https://credo.press/239598/ – Hieromonk Spiridon (his real name in the world being Yuri Abramov), who headed the parish of the church of the Holy Prophet Elijah in the village of Amurzet, Oktyabrsky district, Jewish Autonomous Region (Birobidzhan Diocese of the ROC MP), was sentenced for sexual abuse of dozens of boys.

Hieromonk was sentenced to 18 years in a maximum security colony and his accomplice-beller to 12 years, reports IA “REGNUM” (https://regnum.ru/news/accidents/3417150.html) on November 8 with reference to the press service of the prosecutor’s office of the region.

According to the prosecutor’s office, two crimes of Hieromonk Spiridon are qualified under Article 132 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (sexual violence committed by a group of persons by prior agreement). Actions against 51 more children were evaluated under articles 151 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (involvement by a teacher of a minor in the commission of antisocial actions – systematic use (drinking) of alcoholic and alcohol-containing products, intoxicating substances) and 134 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (sexual intercourse and other sexual acts with a person under the age of sixteen). The bell ringer was accused of five episodes of sexual violence.

“In the court session, the defendants pleaded partially guilty. Meanwhile, the state prosecutor in the criminal case has provided sufficient evidence to confirm the charge against him,” the prosecutor’s office stressed.

The rector of the ROC MP temple in Amurzet, who was also a member of the United Russia party, and the bell ringer of the same church were arrested on suspicion of debauchery two years ago. At that time, shocking details of what the rector of the temple was doing were actively spread on social networks. It was possible to document the illegal activities of the cleric of the Moscow Patriarchate through the joint efforts of several law enforcement services.

Photo credits: Credo