Christians Political Prisoners in Belarus
Organisation"Christian Vision"
Belarusian inter-Christian association, created during peaceful protests of 2020.
Information about the «Christian Vision». Founding statement of the «Christian Vision» Working Group. The mission of the «Christian Vision».
The list is maintained by the Belarusian Christian ecumenical group, Christian Vision. It includes ministers, active believers and people who declared their faith or connection to religious organisations. Constantly updated. As of 9 May2026: at least 24 persons.
Priests and minsters
Belarusian Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Evangelical Churches
Believers
Belarusian Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Belarusian Greek Catholic Church
Evangelical Churches and Non-Denominational Christians
Priests and ministers
Belarusian Orthodox Church
Siarhei Rezanovich
Orthodox priest. Born: 4 July 1968.
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
Anatol Parakhnevich
Rev. Anatol Parakhnevich, born in 1960, is the parish priest in Olkovičy, Vilejka District, and a local historian.
In custody.
On 16 March 2026, he was brutally detained by security officers. His whereabouts and the reasons for his persecution remain unknown.
In 2022, state propaganda had already mentioned him in a negative context after he took part in a reception marking Poland’s Constitution Day at the Ukrainian Embassy in Minsk, attempting to portray this as something suspicious.
Evangelical Churches
Aleh Loika
Aleh Loika, pastor of the Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith in village Niabytaŭ, Chojniki district, Homieĺ voblasć; head of the “Return” mission for rehabilitating people suffering from drug addiction. Born: 31 May 1976.
Imprisoned: Penal colony No. 1. 211440, Navapolack, vulica Techničnaya 8.
In the beginning of December 2023, pastor Aleh Loika was detained. A report was drawn under Part 2 of Art. 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offences (Distribution of extremist materials) for subscriptions to Facebook pages of media included in the list of “extremist materials.” The pastor was arrested for ten days; his tablet was confiscated.
On 22 April 2025, he was detained in a criminal case for transmitting information about the movement of Russian military equipment on the territory of Belarus. On 20 August 2025 judge Siarhei Salouski in Homiel sentenced him to 3,5 years in a colony under article 361-4 of the Criminal Code (facilitating extremist activity).
Aleksei Jagiello
Aleksei Jagiello, a preacher of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Homiel, a Christian activist and promoter of a healthy lifestyle, and a physician by education. Born: 27 January 1984.
Detained: Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 3, Homiel, vul. Knižnaja 1A, 246003, Belarus.
In November 2025 it became known that he had been convicted under the article on “facilitating extremist activity.” The Homiel Regional Court found the religious figure guilty under parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code. The details of the charges remain unknown; presumably, he was tried in connection with the “Hajun case.” The exact sentence is also unclear: he was given either imprisonment or restriction of freedom with assignment to an open-type correctional facility.
On 28 November 2025, he was added to the list of Belarusian citizens, foreign citizens and stateless persons “involved in extremist activity.”
Believers
Belarusian Orthodox Church
Mikalai Autukhovich
Orthodox Christian, entrepreneur. Born: 7 January 1963.
Imprisoned: Prison No. 1, Hrodna, 1 Kirava Street, 230023.
On 1 December 2020, he was detained under Article 289 of the Criminal Code (Act of Terrorism). Previously he has served multiple terms as a political prisoner.
On 11 July 2021, he began a dry hunger strike to protest the restriction of correspondence – he was not allowed to receive letters, even from his mother. On the 18th day of the hunger strike, his condition deteriorated so much that he was not even brought to court. After 19 days of hunger strike, he began to drink water.
On 17 October 2022, the trial concluded, and Mikalai Autukhovich was found guilty by the Hrodna Regional Court (Judge Maksim Filatau) under Part 3 of Article 285 of the Criminal Code (creation of a criminal organization and participation in it); Part 1 of Article 14 and Part 2 of Article 357 of the Criminal Code (attempt to seize state power by unconstitutional means); Part 1 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code (treason); Part 3 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code (incitement of other social hatred); Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code (calls for restrictive measures (sanctions), other actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus); Part 1 of Article 290-2 of the Criminal Code (attempt to involve in terrorist activities); Part 3 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code (act of terrorism and preparation for it); Part 4 of Article 295 of the Criminal Code (illegal actions with firearms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices, including preparation for such actions); Part 3 of Article 333-1 of the Criminal Code (illegal movement of firearms, ammunition sets for them, explosives, explosive devices across the customs border of the EAEU and the state border of the Republic of Belarus); Part 1 of Article 295-3 of the Criminal Code (illegal actions with items whose action is based on the use of combustible substances) – and received 25 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony (the first five years in prison), a fine of 1,000 base units (32,000 rubles), and was also deprived of the rank of retired senior warrant officer.
Aliaksandr Chumakou
Orthodox Christian believer, musician, performer of Christmas songs translated into the Belarusian language. Born: 14 June 1981.
Detained: Detention Centre No. 1 (SIZO-1), Navadvorski village council, 143/4, Paškovičy village, Minsk District, Minsk Region, 223016.
He was detained in early December 2025, initially under an administrative case. It later became known that on 17 December 2025, by a decision of the KGB, Aliaksandr (Alies) Chumakou was declared a member of an “extremist formation”, namely the cultural initiative “Da Zoraŭ”. According to the KGB, this so-called “extremist formation” allegedly includes Aliaksandr Chumakou and Siamion Malashenkau.
Yauhen Hlushkou
Musician, veterinarian, former church servant of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Prybitki, Homiel District. Born: 11 July 1990.
Imprisoned: Penal colony No. 1. 211440, Navapolack, vulica Techničnaya 8.
He was detained in August 2022 and placed under custody. Contacts with Ukrainians and an old photo of the airfield in Ziabrauka, which is used by Russian troops for airstrikes against Ukraine, were found on his phone. The photo was taken with a drone, which became the reason for criminal prosecution under Part 1 of Article 356 (treason against the state). The case was considered in a closed session. The man was found guilty of treason against the state and of assisting extremist
He was charged for 9 years of imprisonment in a medium-security penal colony.
Hanna Kmit
Orthodox Christian. Born: 28 March 1986.
Imprisoned: Pre-trial Detention Center No. 3 (SIZO-3), 1A Knizhnaya Street, Gomel, 246003.
She was arrested together with her husband Andrei Selianinau on 31 October 2024. They were charged under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order). The detention took place during the campaign against those who helped to political prisoners and their families. Later, she was charged under Article 361-4, Part 1 of the Criminal Code (Facilitating extremist activities).
On 8 July 2025, she was sentenced to two years and six months of imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony.
She is a mother of two children. Her husband Andrei Selianiau was also charged and convicted, but 13 December 2025 released in the results of negotiations with the USA.
Dzmitry Navazhylau
Orthodox believer, former director of the BelaPAN news agency. Born: 12 August 1972.
Imprisoned: Penal colony No. 3. 211322, Viciebsk region, Vićba
Navazhylau was arrested on 18 August 2021, after security officers searched his home and BelaPAN’s office in Minsk.
Navazhylau was detained for 72 hours under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organization or preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or participation in them). After 10 days arrest, Navazhylau was transferred to pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Minsk.
In early September 2021, Navazhylau was officially charged under Part 2 of Art. 243 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion entailing large-scale damage).
In November 2021, Navazhylau faced new charges 6 years of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony.
His named was among those 250 pardoned and released on 19 March 2025, however since that time there was no contact from him. It later emerged that another political prisoner with the same surname had been released instead. By calculations, Dzmitry Navazhylau is expected to be released at the end of 2026.
Andrei Repetsiy
A resident of Minsk, an Orthodox Christian, with an interest in communications equipment and radio electronics. Born: 1966.
Detained: KGB pre-trial detention center, 220050, Minsk, Main Post Office, P.O. Box 8.
He was detained in the so-called “radio club case.” He is accused of “treason against the state” (Criminal Code Article 356) and “espionage” (Criminal Code Article 358).
In January 2026, propaganda outlets claimed there were seven defendants in the “radio club case,” but the broadcast showed only two detainees—Nikita Krasko and Andrei Repetsiy. Propagandists alleged that the detainees operated under the cover of a “radio club” and, by connecting to official radio frequencies, intercepted all communications conducted at military airfields and air defense positions, within the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Alexander Lukashenko’s Security Service, including detailed information on his travel routes.
Liubou Rezanovich
Entrepreneur, wife of an Orthodox priest Siarhei Rezanovich. Born: 11 November 1964.
Imprisoned: Homiel, Penal Colony No. 4, 3 Antoshkina Street, 246035.
She was detained on 1 December 2020 under Article 289 of the Criminal Code (Act of Terrorism), the “Autukhovich case.” Her husband, priest Siarhiei Rezanovich, and their son, Pavel, are also accused in the same case.
On 17 October 2022, the trial concluded, and Liubou Rezanovich was found guilty by the Hrodna Regional Court (Judge Maksim Filatau) 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 power by unconstitutional means), Part 1 of Article 13 and Part 3 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code (attempted act of terrorism), Part 4 of Article 295 of the Criminal Code (illegal actions with firearms, ammunition, and explosives, committed by an organized group) – and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment in a general regime colony and a fine of 600 base units (19,200 rubles).
She was subjected to torture.
Pavel Rezanovich
Lawyer, son of an Orthodox priest Siarhei Rezanovich. Born: 1 July 1993.
Imprisoned: Prison No. 1, Hrodna, 1 Kirova Street, 230023.
He was detained on 1 December 2020 under Article 289 of the Criminal Code (Act of Terrorism), the “Autukhovich case.” His parents, priest Siarhiei Rezanovich and Liubou Rezanovich, were also accused in the same case.
On 17 October 2022, the trial concluded, and Pavel Rezanovich was found guilty by the Hrodna Regional Court (Judge Maksim Filatau) under Part 3 of Article 285 of the Criminal Code (creation of a criminal organization or participation in it, committed by an official), Part 1 of Article 14 and Part 2 of Article 357 of the Criminal Code (attempt to seize state power by unconstitutional means), Part 1 of Article 13 and Part 3 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code (attempted act of terrorism, committed by an organized group), Part 4 of Article 295 of the Criminal Code (illegal actions with firearms, ammunition, and explosives, committed by an organized group) – and sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony and a fine of 800 base units (25,600 rubles).
Yauheni Skachko
A lawyer, entrepreneur, Orthodox believer from Homiel, and a father of four children. Born: 7 October 1976).
Detained: Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 3, Homiel, vul. Knižnaja 1A, 246003, Belarus.
In the past, Skachko was one of the leaders of the Young Front organisation and an active participant in Belarusian Christian Democracy. Since the mid-2000s, he had withdrawn from politics. He was involved in church construction projects and provided legal assistance to the public.
In April 2026, Skochko, who had been detained earlier, stood trial. He was charged under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (“facilitating extremist activity”) for sending messages to the chatbot of the monitoring project Belarusian Hajun. He was also charged under Article 367 (“defamation against Lukashenka”), Article 368 (“insulting Lukashenka”), and Article 369-1 (“discrediting the Republic of Belarus”). Yauhen was sentenced by the Homiel Regional Court to three years of imprisonment in a penal colony.
Aksana Shaliapina
Artist from Minsk. Born on 24 October 1977. Her works are held in private collections in many countries around the world. Member of the Union of Artists “Master-Peacemaker.” Participated in the artistic decoration of the Dormition Monastery in Žyrovičy.
Imprisoned: Homiel, Penal Colony No. 4, 3 Antoshkina Street, 246035.
She was detained under Article 361-4 Part 1 (“facilitating extremist activity”), presumably for helping political prisoners — she had been writing letters to them.
The trial of Aksana began in November 2025. The verdict was three years of imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony.
Iryna Yakauleva
Iryna Yakauleva is an accountant from Minsk, an Orthodox believer who donated to churches and monasteries in Belarus, and a political prisoner. Born: 28 March 1968.
In custody: Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 1, Novadvorski village council, 143/4, Paškavičy, Minsk district, Minsk region, 223016.
She was detained on 31 October 2024 in connection with the “neighborhood chat” case. She was charged under Article 357 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (“conspiracy or other actions aimed at seizing state power”). On the same day, the “Yard Coalition ‘Orden’” was added to the official list of organizations, groups, and individual entrepreneurs allegedly involved in extremist activity. The coalition was said to include a number of neighborhood chats, and Iryna Yakauleva (born 28 March 1968) was listed as a person linked to this so-called “extremist formation.” On 19 March 2026, Iryna Yakauleva was sentenced to eight and a half years in a penal colony.
Roman Catholic Church
Aliaksandr Danilevich
A Catholic believer, a parishioner of St. Simeon and Helena Church in Minsk (Red Church), a lawyer, and a father of many children. Born: 30 November 1974.
Imprisoned: Penal colony No. 17, Shklou, Zavodzkaya Str., Mahilioŭ region 213004, Belarus.
He was detained on 20 May 2022 in a criminal case and held in the KGB detention center. He was charged under Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code (calls for restrictive measures (sanctions) or other actions aimed at harming the national security of Belarus) and placed in Detention Center No. 1.
A father of many children, shortly before his detention, he signed an anti-war appeal by Belarusian lawyers and jurists against the war in Ukraine, motivated by his faith in God and the desire to fulfill God’s commandments. After this, Danilevich began to have problems in the legal profession – a disciplinary procedure was initiated against him. He was also dismissed from BSU, where he taught at the Faculty of International Relations for over 20 years. Prosecutor Tatsiana Tsybulya led the prosecution, Judge Tatsiana Falklouskaya (Minsk City Court) presided over the case. The sentence was handed down on 10 April 2023: 10 years of imprisonment. After the appeal, the sentence was reduced to 6 years.
Dzianis Ivashyn
Catholic believer, a resident of Hrodna, journalist for “Novy Chas” and InformNapalm. Born: 06 June 1979
Imprisoned: Investigation Prison No. 8, Savetskaya str. 22A, Zhodzina, 222163, Belarus.
He was detained on 12 March 2021 and charged under Article 365 of the Criminal Code (Interference with the activities of an employee of the internal affairs bodies), Article 356 of the Criminal Code (Treason against the state).
He was sentenced for 13 years and 1 month of imprisonment in a reinforced regime colony.
He has heart problems.
Palynskaya Cina
A journalist and a Catholic believer from Polack. Born: 24 June 1973.
Detained at: Pre-trial detention center No. 2 (SIZO-2), 210026, Viciebsk, Haharyna Street 2.
She was detained on 20 May 2025, together with her eldest daughter, Marharyta Rabinovich. She was taken into custody as part of a criminal case. The details of the charges have not been officially disclosed.
However, based on indirect evidence, it is assumed that the case may be linked to the KGB’s decision to designate the “Belarusian Analytical Workshop” of Professor Andrei Vardomatsky as an “extremist formation.” This organization conducted sociological surveys among Belarusian citizens. There have been reports of searches and equipment seizures from individuals who participated in the workshop’s research.
Cina and her daughter were charged under Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (creation of an extremist formation or participation in it). On 6 March 2026, it became known that they had been sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment in a penal colony.
Yauhen Prapolski
Catholic, an altar server, icon-painter. He was a parishioner of the Baranavichy parish, then the Lyakhavichy parish, and when he lived and worked in Minsk, he attended the Red Church. Born: 20 December 1994.
Imprisoned: Correctional Colony No. 20, Mikhalouski s/s, 70, Mazyr district, 247755, Belarus.
He was detained on 29 September 2020. He was charged under Part 2 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code (Participation in mass riots), Article 218 of the Criminal Code (Intentional destruction or damage to property committed in a generally dangerous way or causing major damage), a case related to participation in “radical” Telegram chats.
He was sentenced for 8 years of imprisonment in a reinforced regime colony. On 03 May 2023, he was convicted in a new criminal case under Article 411 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (malicious disobedience to the requirements of the colony administration) by the Babrujsk district and Babrujsk city court and sentenced to one and a half years of imprisonment.
At the end of May, he was transferred to Mazyr Colony No. 20.
Belarusian Greek Catholic Church
Aliaksandr Yurchyk
Resident of Minsk, a Greek Catholic believer. Born: 16 August 1969.
Imprisoned: Penal Colony No. 1, 211440, Tekhnichnaya str. 8, Navapolatsk, Belarus.
He was detained on 16 January 2021. He was charged under Article 293 of the Criminal Code (Participation in mass riots), Article 218 of the Criminal Code (Intentional destruction or damage to another’s property), a case related to participation in “radical” Telegram chats.
On 19 July 2021, he was sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment in a reinforced regime colony.
Evangelical and Non-Denominational Christians
Andrei Budai
Evangelical Christian and father of many children. Born: 23 March 1978.
Imprisoned: Penal Colony No. 20, No. 70, Michalkouski Rural Council, Mazyr District, Homiel Region, 247755.
He was detained on 5 July 2021 under Part 2 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code (Hooliganism) for dismantling surveillance cameras. The case was reclassified under four other articles of the Criminal Code: Article 130 (Incitement of racial, national, religious, or other social hatred or discord), Article 290-4 (Creation of an organization for the purpose of terrorist activities or participation in it), Article 359 (Act of terrorism against a state or public figure), and Article 361 (Calls for restrictive measures (sanctions) or other actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus). He has been added to the KGB’s “terrorist list.”
Andrei was suspected of participating in the “Busly lyatsyats” (Storks are flying) initiative. Some episodes of the criminal case are related to damage to a judge’s car in the Barysau district in March 2021 and a window in an apartment where “a Minsk prosecutor’s employee lives with a young child” in April 2021.
On 28 September 2022, the trial of Andrei Budai and other defendants in the case ended. Budai was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment in a reinforced regime colony and a fine of 500 base units. The case was heard in the Minsk City Court (Judge Anastasia Papko) over four months in closed session. The prosecution was supported by Prosecutor Yulia Laneuskaya.
Court decision of 24 September 2024: under Article 411, Part 2, he was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in a penal colony under a strict regime.
Aliaksandr Liubianchuk
An Evangelical Christian, journalist. Born: 1 September.
Imprisoned: Prison No. 1, Hrodna, 1 Kirava Street, 230023.
He was detained 26 May 2022 from the village of Kryviči, Ivje district, after a search. He was charged under Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (Creation of an extremist formation or participation in it).
On 27 October 2022, Minsk City Court found him guilty and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment in a general regime colony. Soon, the political prisoner was transferred from detention center No. 1 to Zhodzina Investigation Prison No. 8, and then to Mahilioŭ Prison No. 4.
He was released in January 2025.
In early September 2025, it became known that Alexander had been detained in connection with a new criminal case. He is being held in Prison No. 1.
Pavel Petruchenia
Evangelical Christian from Brest. Born: 25 September 1988.
Imprisoned: Penal Colony No. 15, Slauharadskaje highway 183, Viejna 212013, Mahilioŭ region, Belarus.
He was detained on 13 December 2022 under Part 3 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code — Incitement of hatred or discord, accused in the “Black Book of Belarus” case.
After the detention, pro-government channels released “penitential videos” in which Pavel says that he worked in the Security Department until 2018, and was detained for transferring personal data of Security Department employees to the “Black Book of Belarus.” He took the data from a telephone directory.
In the Brest Regional Court on 2 June 2023, Judge Mikalai Senko found Petruchenia guilty and sentenced him to 6 years of imprisonment in a reinforced regime colony.
Anatoli Rybak
Evangelical Christian from Babruisk, member of the Babruisk “Church of the Lord’s Grace” (Evangelical Christian Baptists), military pensioner and entrepreneur. Born: 11 May 1971.
Imprisoned: Unknown.
He was detained under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code (facilitating extremist activity), reportedly in connection with allegedly sending information to the monitoring project “Belarusian Hajun”. He was tried in the Mahilioŭ Regional Court and sentenced either to imprisonment in a penal colony or to restriction of liberty with placement in an open-type correctional institution.
On 24 December 2025, he was added to the list of Belarusian citizens, foreign citizens and stateless persons “involved in extremist activity.”
