Christians Political Prisoners in Belarus

Priests and ministers

Belarusian Orthodox Church

Siarhei Rezanovich 

Born: 4.07.1968, Orthodox priest.

Imprisoned: PK-15, 213105 Mogilev, p/o Veino, Slavogorodskoe highway, 183

He was detained December 1, 2020 under Article 289 of the Criminal Code (Act of Terrorism), the “Avtukhovich case”. He was accused along with his wife, Liubou Rezanovich, and son, Pavel. Letters were not being delivered.

On October 17, 2022, the trial concluded. The Hrodno Regional Court (Judge Maksim Filatau) found Siarhei Rezanovich guilty under Part 2 of Article 285 of the Criminal Code (participation in a criminal organization), Part 1 of Article 14 and Part 2 of Article 357 of the Criminal Code (attempt to seize state powerby unconstitutional means), Part 1 of Article 13 and Part 2 of Article 295-3 of the Criminal Code (illegal actions with objects whose damaging effect is based on the use of combustible substances, committed by a group of persons) – and sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment in a high-security colony and a fine of 600 base units (19,200 rubles).

Roman Catholic Church

Henryk Okolotowicz 

Roman Catholic priest, rector of the Church of St. Joseph in Valožyn, Minsk-Mahiliou Archdiocese. 64 years old.

Currently: SIZO No. 1 Novodvorsky s/s, 143/4, Pashkovichi village, Minsk district, Minsk region 223016.

He is 64 years old, in the spring of 2023 underwent gastric surgery due to an oncological disease, a heart attack, needs medical supervision and medication.

He was detained on November 17, 2023, the detention took place as part of a criminal case under Part 1 of Art. 356 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus “Treason against the state.” A search was conducted in the priest’s parental home in the village of Novaya Mysh (Baranovichi district). On December 30, 2024, the Minsk Regional Court sentenced Okolotovich to 11 years in a strict regime colony. 

Andrzej Juchniewicz OMI 

Roman Catholic priest of the Order of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, served in the diocesan sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Shumilino (Vitebsk region), and was the head of the coordination group of superiors and representatives of religious communities in Belarus. 44 years old.

In custody: SIZO-2, Vitebsk st. Gagarina 2, 210026

On May 8, 2024, he was detained after participating in a meeting of priests and consecrated persons of the Vitebsk diocese, which took place in his church. Along with him, a priest from his order, Pavel Lemekh OMI, was also detained. In addition, one of the parishioners was also detained. The detention took place after the meeting – the priest was stopped on the way.

The trial took place on May 10, 2024, the priests were tried via Skype and subjected to administrative arrest. Father Juchniewicz received 15 days. The decision was made by Judge Natalia Korablina of the Pervomaisky District Court of Vitebsk. The Oblate priest was charged with posting photos on Facebook with his image with a white-red-white flag and the flag of Ukraine. This served as the basis for bringing the cleric under Part 1 of Art. 24.23 of the Administrative Code (violation of the established procedure for picketing). After 15 days, the priest was never released. He was subjected to a second administrative arrest under Art. 19.11. (distribution of extremist materials). On June 25, 2024, he was recognized by human rights activists as a political prisoner. He has being tortured. In July he was placed from administrative arrest into custody. In November 2024 he was accused of: Engaging in lewd or lascivious acts by a person who has reached the age of eighteen, with a person known to be under the age of sixteen (Part 2 of Article 169 of the Criminal Code); Violent acts of a sexual nature (Part 2 of Article 167 of the Criminal Code); Sexual acts with a person under the age of 16 (Part 2 of  Article 168 of the Criminal Code). The trial began on December 27, 2024.

Evangelical Churches

Mikalai Khila

Born: 17.10.1983. A preacher of Baptist Church “Good News” in Minsk, worked for EU delegation in Belarus. 

Currently: SIZO-1, 223016, Navadvorski village council, 143/4, Paškovičy, Minsk district, Minsk region. On April 24, 2024, he was detained and placed in Akrescina. Later, he was taken into custody and placed in a detention center in Kaliadzichy. He was initially accused of insulting Lukashenko (Article 368 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus), and on December 31, 2024, he was sentenced to 4 years in a colony under articles of the Criminal Code for inciting hatred (Article 130) and causing harm to national security (Part 3 of Article 361).