{"id":58079,"date":"2024-03-02T17:14:51","date_gmt":"2024-03-02T17:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/actionagainstchildabduction.com\/?p=58079"},"modified":"2026-03-28T23:30:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T21:30:44","slug":"sw-2024-03-02-sapo-orthodox-church-spies-for-kremlin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/actionagainstchildabduction.com\/el\/sw-2024-03-02-sapo-orthodox-church-spies-for-kremlin\/","title":{"rendered":"SW 2024.03.02 S\u00c4PO Reports Espionage"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"S\u00c4PO,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

S\u00c4PO – Patriarch Kirill, A Former KGB Spy and the Driving Force Behind the War in Ukraine<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

S\u00c4PO Reports Orthodox Church Espionage for Kremlin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Espionage Allegations and Security Concerns<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abstract<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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On February 29, the Swedish Agency for Grants to Religious Communities announced its decision to terminate financial support for the Russian Orthodox Church. The move followed a warning from the Swedish Security Service (S\u00c4PO), which reported that representatives of the church had “maintained contacts with individuals working for Russian intelligence services”<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"S\u00c4PO,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New Russian Church – A Security Risk to Sweden<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sweden Cuts Funding for Russian Orthodox Church<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Swedish Security Service’s warnings highlight the Kremlin’s alleged use of the Russian Orthodox Church as a vehicle for advancing political objectives and infiltrating foreign nations. According to the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA<\/strong><\/a>), the church has been accused of hypocrisy, using religion as a tool to undermine democratic institutions while Moscow itself disregards fundamental principles of religious freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S\u00c4PO’s findings align with longstanding concerns regarding the church\u2019s role in Russian statecraft. The agency underscored that the church had received substantial financial support from the Russian government, which it reportedly used to promote pro-Kremlin narratives. This includes actions perceived as endorsing Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has drawn widespread international condemnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, Sweden emphasized that the Russian Orthodox Church \u201chad received significant funding from the Russian state\u201d<\/em>, and its representatives had acted in a manner that seemed to encourage \u201csupport for Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine\u201d.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Role of the Church in Intelligence Activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

S\u00c4PO identified the Russian Orthodox Church as a platform for activities that threaten Sweden’s national security. These activities allegedly include intelligence gathering and fostering political influence on behalf of the Kremlin. In light of these revelations, the Swedish Agency for Grants concluded that the church no longer meets the criteria for state funding, which requires religious organizations to support the fundamental values of Swedish society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agency emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles, especially during times of social and political crisis. It noted that the Russian Orthodox Church has failed to fulfill this obligation due to its support for actions tied to Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patriarch Kirill and International Sanctions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has been a vocal supporter of Russia\u2019s aggression in Ukraine. His statements in favor of the war have drawn significant backlash, particularly in light of the numerous war crimes attributed to Russian forces in Ukraine. As a result, several countries\u2014including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine\u2014have imposed sanctions on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n