The Persecuted Church Across the World

Persecuted Church Belarus Dec 22nd 2017

BELARUS – Christians fined for distributing religious literature

 

Barnabas Fund 14 Dec 2017

 

Lepel town police have continued to disrupt and arrest members of a church library ministry for singing and offering Christian books and magazines to passers-by at the entrance to the town market. The local court repeatedly fined one of them to the total equivalent of double his monthly wage.

 

 “I’ve been conducting the street library ministry for 16 years, offering Bibles, children’s literature and magazines for people to read and return,” said a church member. “Over the last 10 years we never had any conflicts.” The street library had not been disrupted for thirteen years until mid-October 2017.

 

A Christian sustained a facial injury during his arrest and detention by the police of Lepel town, north-eastern Belarus. He has lodged a complaint with the “Investigative Committee.”

 

The government in Belarus enforces strict regulations on Christian groups and requires all religious communities to register with the State.