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Press: Why was protestant bishop deported from Belarus?

The Ukrainian founder of one of the largest charismatic churches in the Belarusian capital Minsk was deported on 16 October due to his religious activity, he has suggested to Forum 18 News Service. If so, Veniamin Brukh - a bishop in the Full Gospel Church - will be the 22nd foreigner barred from Belarus for religious activity since 2004.

Previous cases have involved both Protestants and Catholics. Under the restrictive Religion Law, foreigners require special state permission - on top of a valid entry visa - to perform a leading role in a religious community. Only registered religious umbrella associations have the right to invite foreigners to conduct religious activity.

Even if the state's highest religious affairs official decides that religious work by a foreigner is necessary, stringent controls still apply to that person's activities. Asked for the reasons for Bishop Brukh's deportation, a KGB secret police spokesman told Forum 18 that "The person who is supposed to know knows. I'm not supposed to know." The KGB closely monitors religious communities' activity.

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TAGS: Belarus religious activity Veniamin Brukh Religion Law persecution

[10/23/2008]

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