At least 24 priests persecuted in 2022 – Christian advocacy group

December 24, BPN. In 2022, authorities persecuted at least 24 priests, Chryścijanskaja Vizija reported.

At least eight Catholic priests faced various forms of persecution, the report said. One of them is Alaksandr Baran, rector of the Roman Catholic parish of St. Andrew the Apostle in Łyntupy, Viciebsk region, jailed for a total of 33 days for sharing opposition content.

Several priests left Belarus in fear of persecution, including Andrzej Bulczak and Andrej Vaščuk from the Viciebsk region. In November, police also interviewed the father of Catholic priest Viačasłaŭ Barok trying to find out when he would return to the country.

Belarusian authorities fined Catholic priests Andrej Keŭlič, Ihar Łašuk, and Jaŭhien Učkuronis for sharing opposition content, while another priest, Vital Čabatar was jailed for 15 days.

Protestant pastors also suffered from politically-motivated persecution in 2022. Most of them are based in Minsk, including Vital Čyčmaroŭ (three years of restricted freedom in home confinement for participating in protests), Filip Ivanoŭ (his wife sentenced to two years in prison), Viačasłaŭ Hančarenka and Antoni Bokun (fined), and Siarhiej Paŭłouski (jailed for 12 days).

At least six Orthodox and three Greek-Catholic priests also faced politically-motivated charges, including Ihar Kandraćjeu (jailed for 12 days), Vital Bystroŭ (in custody), and Vasil Jahoraŭ (fined for supporting Ukraine).

Orthodox priest Uładzisłaŭ Bahamolnikaŭ spent 110 days in custody for alleged minor offenses and is now a suspect in a criminal case.