A worker at the Church of the Nativity of Christ, Pavel Kim, already in custody for child pornography offenses, is facing 17 new criminal cases. The Investigative Department for the Admiralteysky District initiated the additional cases against the 38-year-old on June 9th.

Kim is accused of sending explicit content featuring teenagers to 17 Telegram users between late January of last year and his arrest. The “children’s” department of the criminal investigation department, along with the cybercrime unit of the St. Petersburg police headquarters, uncovered this activity.

Investigators discovered Kim through his involvement in a Telegram chat frequented by individuals expressing attraction to young boys. Kim, a 38-year-old St. Petersburg resident with Uzbek citizenship, allegedly administered the chat and posted materials featuring boys, despite his social media presence showcasing Orthodox art.

Kim was initially detained on May 21 and has reportedly confessed to the charges against him. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.