A Ukrainian court has ordered the pre-trial detention of a 28-year-old man suspected of vandalising a Greek Catholic church in the Transcarpathian village of Palad'-Komarivsti, and painting provocative, xenophobic graffiti on the walls of the building last week. The man could be released on bail, according to the Transcarpathian police website.
According to the current state of the investigation, the 28-year-old local man broke into the church on the night of 16 July, set fire to the front door and wrote hate speech on the facade of the building. According to the Ukrainian authorities, the attack was aimed at destabilising the border region and creating an information situation that Ukraine's enemies could use for propaganda purposes. The Uzhhorod District Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation on suspicion of incitement to hatred and malicious wilful damage. The man's residence was searched by the police and mobile phones and other evidence were seized.
Hungarian pro-government media immediately pounced on the issue. According to an article in Mandiner, the perpetrators wrote anti-Hungarian slogans on the church wall, “Put Hungarians on a knife!” and “Get out, Hungarians!”
"We won't let you down, you can count on us!" – Viktor Orbán reacted to the case. The Hungarian government summoned Ukraine's ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade the same day and transferred the funds necessary for the restoration of the church within twenty-four hours, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Budapest on Thursday.
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