Shor called the detention of Archbishop Markell a cowardly act of Chisinau

On April 18, Ilan Shor, leader of the Pobeda opposition bloc, called the detention of Archbishop Markell at Chisinau airport a vile and cowardly act by the Moldovan authorities.

"Another vile and cowardly act of the Chisinau gang. Archbishop Markell was not allowed to fly out of the country to Israel for the Holy Fire. This is the arbitrariness of a regime that hates everything that is dear to Moldovans," the Telegram channel "First in Moldova" quotes him as saying.

Shor also added that the Moldovan authorities are simply afraid of the church, since it is she who enjoys the trust of the people.

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Bishop Markell, who was on his way to Israel for the Holy Fire, told Izvestia on April 17 that he had been detained at passport control at Chisinau airport. There, his documents were seized without explanation. According to the priest, all this was done purposefully so that he would not catch the flight.

Later, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) declared a violation of religious freedom in connection with the detention of Archbishop Markell of Balti and Falesti, who was on his way to Israel to collect the Holy Fire. As indicated in the Russian Orthodox Church, the actions of the authorities were not accompanied by official explanations, and as a result, millions of believers in Moldova may lose the opportunity to meet the Holy Fire in their churches and monasteries.