The Russian Orthodox Church's Ryazan diocese has suspended a local priest named Vladimir Pokrovsky for a year, following revelations that he has “systematically violated church discipline” by abusing alcohol and beating members of his family. Pokrovsky’s wife, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, told the website Ya62.ru that her husband lifts weights at home and frequently knocks her down, kicks her, and chokes her. After a recent attack, she finally reported him to the police.

Lyubov Pokrovskaya also supplied journalists with photos of her injuries and an audio recording of her intoxicated husband threatening to kill her, after she asked him to release her. She is currently in hiding with their four children.