Archpriest Dymytro Sydor refuses to be questioned by SBU on charges of separatism

November19200820:26

Nov. 19, the SBU in Zakarpatya invited for questioning archpriest Dymytro Sydor, head of Zakarpatya Rusins assembly. The SBU filed charges of encroachment on Ukraine’s territorial integrity against Sydor who refused to testify, a ZIK correspondent reports from Uzhgorod.

D. Sydor also refused to talk to the press, saying there are no honest and independent newspapers and accusing journalists of written-to-order articles.

He told he would not like to talk to journalists because the press carries only his uncomplimentary photos. He told the media, however, that SBU officials treated him politely, but he refused to answer their questions when he heard the first question on the links between the Rusins and Russian organizations. The priest would not elaborate on the aims of the visits by Russian nationals to Zakarpatya of which the SBU claims to have evidence.

Comment by ZIK

The Rusins in Zakarpatya have declared their own republic at the European Congress of Rusins held in Mukacheve on Oct. 25, 2008. The congress was attended by 109 delegates. The congress delegates also elected the republic’s executive.

Speaking to the ZIK, congress delegates said they would push the Zakarpatya oblast council to give autonomy to the republic and declare the Zakarpatya oblast an autonomous republic.
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