Human Rights Lawyer Arrested for Unauthorized Religious Gathering

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The Christian Business Initiative is a registered social organization in Belarus intended to provide support for Christians in business. When the organization wanted to hold a seminar for Christian businessmen at the Christ for the Nations Christian College in Minsk , local authorities insisted that they obtain specific permission to meet but then refused to give that permission. The decision was made to continue with the conference on March 22-24.  On the last day, three police officers and a KGB officer entered the café where the meeting was being held.  According to Forum 18, the thirty-five attendees were locked in the café while two pastors were taken to the police station for interrogation.  Shortly after, human rights lawyer Sergei Shavtsov arrived and told police he was the organizer.  The others were freed and Shavtsov was charged with "carrying out unauthorized mass activities."  He was taken to court that day and within twenty minutes, was found guilty.  He was given the option of a fine of 4,650,000 rubles ($2500 CDN) or ten days in prison.  He chose prison and is scheduled to be released April 3.

Pray that the Lord will enable Shavtsov and other Christian leaders facing opposition to continue to trust the Lord to enable them to proclaim the gospel boldly. Pray that there will be full religious freedom in Belarus .

For more information on persecution facing Christians in Belarus , click here.  A video news report on the persecution of Christians in Belarus is available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

Belarus News

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    Photo: Wikipedia / Suicasmo (cc)

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