On March 16th of this year, police arrested Anatol Parakhnevich, a 65-year-old Catholic priest, at his parish in Alkovichi, Minsk Region. During the time of his arrest, few details about the case were released. (See the initial report announcing his arrest.) While awaiting trial, Father Anatol reportedly suffered a heart attack during incarceration.

Churches in Belarus continue to encounter increasing pressures under a new religion law that came into effect in July 2024. The legislation requires all churches to undergo re-registration, including those that had previously been approved by the government. As a result, three Greek Catholic parishes that were originally registered in the 1990s have had their applications rejected.