News on the topic: religious persecution
02.07.2008 Hrodna: 1st National TV Channel vs. Uniate Christians
Believers of Hrodna Greek-Catholic parish of Our Lady of Fatima have addressed the administration of the 1st National Channel of the State TV and Radion Company of Belarus with an open letter. The reason is the broadcast of the film about Brest Union in the ‘Chronicle of Times’ cycle.
25.04.2008 Protestant pastor Hancharenka fined again
On April 25th Maskouski court judge Uladzimir Audzeyenka recognized pastor of the “New Life” Church Viachaslau Hancharenka guilty of violation of Article 9.10 of the Administrative Code (Violation of the legislation about elections, referenda, about recalling of citizens and implementation of the right of legislative initiative of citizens). The pastor was fined 40 basic units (about 700 US dollars).
24.03.2008 Pastor fined for religious service
On March 6th in Zhodzina Valiantsin Luhouski, pastor of the Evangelical Church of St. Trinity was triad. He was fined 175, 000 BYR for violation of the Law “about Mass Event in the Republic of Belarus”.
13.03.2008 Minsk Authorities Evict Pastor Hancharenka and His Family from Their House
The pastor of the New Life church Vyachaslau Hancharenka has received an order of the Tsentralny District of Minsk. The pastor, living with his family on Repin Street in a private house, was suggested to ruin it.
10.03.2008 Pastor of ‘New Life’ Church Fined
Maskouski district court of Minsk ruled to fine the past of the New Life Church Viachaslau Hancharenka 250 000 rubles for non-implementation of the prosecutor’s ruling.
06.03.2008 Pastor of Jesus Christ Church Complains to Mazyr Authorities
On 4 March Siarhei Suzko, pastor of the parish of full gospel Christians of the Jesus Christ Church, directed complaints to Mazyr district executive committee, Mazyr town prosecutor’s office and Homel oblast executive committee against the actions of workers of the ideological department of Mazyr town executive committee.
03.03.2008 Mazyr Authorities Hinder Meeting of Protestants
On 29 February, at 8 p.m., the police and workers of the ideological department of Mazyr district executive committee paid an unexpected visit to the private house of the pastor of the Full Evangel Church of Jesus Christ in Mazyr.
19.02.2008 Authorities Want to Try Pastor Hancharenka
The pastor of the New Life Church Viachaslau Hancharenka has received a summons from Maskouski district prosecutor’s office of Minsk. On 19 February at 4 p.m. he will meet with the deputy prosecutor Zmitser Zyrianau, who wants to draw up a violation report, because the believers did not let in representatives of the fire service despite the prosecutor’s warrant.
11.02.2008 Protestant Priests Make Ultimatum to Lukashenka
The pastors of more than 40 Belarusian churches of the Association of Communities of Full Gospel Christians have applied to Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
07.02.2008 Hrodna Authorities Fear Inter-religious Conflicts
In 2007 the authorities of Hrodna oblast registered only one religious community of Baptist Christians. Several dozens of other religious communities have been denied registration for different reasons.
07.02.2008 Authorities Will Control Invitation of Foreign Priests
The Soviet of Ministers of Belarus approved a regulation on order of invitation of foreign citizens and stateless persons for religious activity in Belarus.
05.02.2008 Pressurization of Young Front Activist Alena Makarevich Continues
A week ago the activist of Minsk Young Front branch Alena Makarevich was summonsed to KGB. There she was proposed to stop her public and political activities and threatened with a criminal case otherwise.
01.02.2008 Prosecutor’s Office Threatens to Punish Protestant Bishop
Prosecutor’s office of Maskouski district of Minsk threatens Viachaslau Hancharenka, bishop of the Full Gospel Christian Community, New Life Church pastor, with criminal persecution for violation of instructions, passed on formal reasons.
30.01.2008 New Life Church protests
“At our general meeting we made a decision that we would not let anyone in until our demand is satisfied: to cancel the decision of Minsk city executive committee, which ruled to confiscate the land from us, -- pastor Hancharenka says, -- we decided not to let anyone in. This is our action of protest, the action of civic disobedience. We defined our position, and will not let anyone in, under any circumstances. They should solve their problems, instead of pressurizing us”.
12.11.2007 Electricity Turned off During Protestant Assembly
At the week-end a youth conference took place at the New Life Church in Minsk. It was attended by representatives of Belarusian Evangelic churches from all over the country. Minsk authorities tried to disrupt the event. On the second day of the conference representatives of electricity services and the administration of Maskouski district police department of Minsk came there.
