Minsk: Number of Hunger-strikers Is Growing

11.10.2006.

132 believers of New Life Church are taking part in the hunger strike now. The hunger strike started on October 6. People from Mazyr, Dzyarzhynsk, Staubtsy, Zhodizna are arriving to protect the church. The Charter’97 press center was informed about that by representatives of the church. As said by them, today several dozens of people have spent the night in the building of the church. 500 persons have taken part in yesterday’s prayer service.

Protestants announced an indefinite hunger strike against actions of Minsk city executive committee on 6 October. It was also decided to hold daily prayer services, to organize a protest meeting on Bangalore square on 21 October in Minsk. The application for staging a meeting was submitted on 3 October.

New Life Church has been supported by believers of other denominations. Most pastors of Full Gospel churches have decided to take part in protest actions. There more than 60 Full Gospel churches in Belarus.

On 21 July the Supreme Economic Court of Minsk compelled New Life Church to sell the building in Kavaliou Street, 72 to Minsk city executive committee at a price of USD 17 000 and to vacate premises by 8 October.