Dissident priest released on his own recognizabce

December 19, BPN. Police have released Orthodox Christian priest Uładzisłaŭ Bahamolnikaŭ on his own recognizance, the Chryścijanskaja Vizija advocacy group reports.

The 42-year-old priest spent 100 days in custody for minor offences. In early December investigators opened a criminal case against him for organization of/active participation in group actions grossly disturbing public order in connection with his alleged participation in opposition protests.

Bahamolnikaŭ was among those who served a funeral mass for opposition activist Raman Bandarenka, who died while in police custody after being beaten by unknown men in 2020. He also went on a hunger strike in support of blogger Ihar Losik, imprisoned on politically-motivated charges.

Police arrested him on August 31 after breaking into his Minsk apartment.