EU calls for release of jailed Belarusian preacher employed by EU delegation

December 19, Pozirk. The European External Action Service called for the release of Mikoła Chiło, a local staff member with the EU delegation to Belarus and a Baptist preacher, POLITICO reported.

“We urge the Belarusian authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally,” said Anitta Hipper, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy.

Chiło’s trial will open on December 23 at the Minsk City Court. Judge Alena Ananič, currently under the EU sanctions, will preside over the proceedings.

Police arrested Chiło in late April. A few weeks later, he was declared a political prisoner. The man is accused of calling for sanctions and inciting hatred, charges routinely used in Belarus to persecute regime critics.

Rights groups said earlier that he was also suspected of posting messages insulting Alaksandar Łukašenka.

Belarusian authorities have persecuted 86 Christian priests in the four years since the 2020 political crisis, Chryścijanskaja Vizija reported last month.