Attack on Metropolitan Clement: OCU responded.

Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) responded to the attack on Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea Clement, who is currently a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This was reported by the press service of the OCU.

As noted, from the testimonies and evidence available now, there are no grounds to speak of religious or political motives for the incident.

«After investigating the circumstances under which Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea Clement sustained bodily injuries, as reported by Ukrainian media, we inform you that from the available testimonies and evidence there are no grounds to assert religious or political motives for the incident», – the statement reads.

Necessary medical assistance was provided to the injured metropolitan.

As reported, in Kyiv on September 10 around 23:00, three unknown individuals near St. Michael's Cathedral attacked a church representative who is a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The police are currently establishing the circumstances of the incident.

Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko reported that unknown attackers beat Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Clement.

«Clement came to Kyiv at the invitation of the «Crimean Platform». Around 23:00 he was walking towards St. Michael's Monastery, where he has a cell. Three people near the monastery stopped him and started beating him. He claims that to make the priest stop, one of the three said: «Bless us, Your Grace!». Therefore, Clement believes the attack was planned», – the journalist said.

According to the metropolitan, the attack was carried out in a place where there are no surveillance cameras.