Kiev demands Ukrainian Orthodox Church's immediate transfer of Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra

MOSCOW. June 9 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Culture and Information Policy Ministry demands that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church transfer Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra property to the state no later than on Friday, June 9.

"They have to sign certificates of transfer and acceptance of 79 pieces of state property, which are returned to the reserve for use. Keys also must be returned, and the place of registration must be changed as a result. In principle, we will wait until Friday," Maryana Tomin, director of the Culture Ministry's cultural heritage department and head of the monastery acceptance commission, said during the national telethon.

Culture Minister Alexander Tkachenko said on June 6 that the ministry's commission had finalized an inspection of the Lower Lavra and demanded that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church leave the monastery within three days. The legal affairs department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said the demand was unlawful, unfounded and not subject to fulfillment.

The Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra national reserve demanded earlier that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church vacate the monastery before March 29. The demand was based on alleged violations committed by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church while using state property. The Church challenged the decision in court. The proceeding has just begun, and there are currently no legal grounds to evict the monks.