Filaret adherents in Crimea pass off shopping premises as a church, – media

Head of the State Committee of the Crimea for International Relations Zaur Smirnov said that the situation around the church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princes Olga and Vladimir of the Kiev Patriarchate in the centre of Simferopol is not related to religious activity, but has an economic and legal character. The official reports this to RIA-Novosti.

According to Smirnov, the bailiffs execute the court's decision: they are requisiting into the republic ownership part of the premises that was leased. We are talking about the first floor, the lease of which expired in January.

"Directly that part of the building where the church is located, on the second floor, no one is touching," said Zaur Smirnov.

According to the investigation conducted by the UOJ, on the first floor of the building, which the KP passed off as the diocesan administration, since 2004 there have been operating offices, pharmacies and a confectionery shop.