"Russia Urges Immediate Release of Detained Orthodox Cleric in Ukraine"

Russia has demanded the immediate release of Metropolitan Pavlo, a senior Orthodox cleric who has been detained in Kyiv on charges of inflaming religious hatred and justifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry called for compliance with international legal obligations and proper medical care for the cleric, who is reportedly suffering from a serious illness. Ukraine has been cracking down on the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church, accusing it of being pro-Russian, while the church denies any ties to Moscow. Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church has appealed to Pope Francis and other religious and political figures to support the detained cleric.