Belarusian priest sentenced to prison amid growing religious persecution

Father Henrykh Akalatovich, a Catholic priest in Belarus, has been sentenced to 11 years in a penal colony for treason. The Minsk Regional Court convicted him on December 30, following a closed trial that began on November 25. Belsat, an independent news channel from Poland, reported the conviction but noted that details of the charges remain undisclosed due to the secrecy of the proceedings.

Father Akalatovich was detained on November 17, 2023, in Valožyn and spent over a year at Minsk's KGB detention center. Known as "Amerika," this facility is notorious for its harsh conditions and historical significance during Soviet times. The Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita suggests he will serve his sentence at Novopolotsk penal colony, where Polish minority activist Andrzej Poczobut is also imprisoned.

Belsat highlighted Father Akalatovich's health issues, including a heart attack and cancer treatment before his detention. His current health status remains unknown.

Belarus's Catholic Church represents about one-tenth of the country's population of 9.4 million. The nation holds over 1,287 political prisoners as of November 11, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.

Recent legal changes under President Alexander Lukashenko have imposed restrictions on religious activities. The Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations law mandates re-registration of parishes by July or face closure.

Felix Corley from Forum 18 attributed church persecution to authoritarian control tendencies. He stated that regimes dislike any uncontrolled activity and impose complex registration systems to maintain authority.

Father Akalatovich hails from Novaya Mysha in Baranovichi region and began his ministry in 1984 after graduating from Riga seminary. Initially praised for using Belarusian language in sermons, he reportedly faced persecution following disputed elections in 2020.

Lukashenko has been president since 1994 and was declared winner again on August 9, 2020. Allegations of election fraud led to widespread protests and a crackdown on opposition leaders.