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Belarus News
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Exiled Religious Advocates Face Charges
Natallia Vasilevich
Photo: Ivars Kupcis / WCCCriminal charges have been brought against at least two religious freedom advocates currently living outside the country of Belarus. Both individuals have been added to Russia's federal list of wanted persons, meaning they could risk deportation to Belarus if found residing within countries that maintain close ties with the Russian Federation (such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan or Uzbekistan). When inquiries were made regarding the specific charges against the two believers, Belarusian authorities provided no details.
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Supreme Court Denies Churches Legal Status
A Greek Catholic Parish.
Photo: Katolik.lifeChurches 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.
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Another Church Leader Arrested
Father Anatol Parakhnevich
Photo: Katolik.life
On March 16th, masked security officials arrested Anatol Parakhnevich, a 65-year-old Catholic priest, at his parish in Alkovichi, Minsk Region. During the arrest, officers searched his home as well as the church building. Following the raid, both premises were sealed, with the keys being returned one week later.
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Priests Pardoned by the Nation's Presidential Leader
Father Henryk (second from left) and Father Andrei
(second from right), along with two archbishops.
Photo: Catholic.byTwo Catholic priests who had been convicted and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison were pardoned and freed from a Belarusian labour camp on November 20th. State media claimed that the church leaders, who were granted clemency by President Alexander Lukashenko, had been "convicted of serious crimes against the state, as well as other crimes."
