In a disturbing development for religious freedom in Belarus, Rev. Henrykh Akalatovich, a Catholic priest from Valozhyn, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison on charges of high treason. This unprecedented action marks the first politically motivated conviction of a Catholic clergy member since Belarus gained independence in 1991.
Father Akalatovich, aged 64, was detained in November 2023 after openly criticizing the government in his sermons. Despite undergoing cancer surgery shortly before his arrest, he was held incommunicado, with authorities denying him basic necessities. The trial was conducted in secrecy, and the priest pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This harsh sentence is part of a broader crackdown on dissent by President Alexander Lukashenko's regime, especially in the lead-up to the January 26 presidential election. Human rights organizations, including the Viasna Human Rights Center, have condemned the sentencing, viewing it as an attempt to intimidate and silence religious figures who oppose the government.
Belarus, a nation of approximately 9.4 million people, has a diverse religious landscape. While the majority of Belarusians adhere to the Orthodox Christian faith, Catholics constitute about 10% of the population, making them the second-largest religious group.
Under Lukashenko's nearly three-decade rule, the government has increasingly targeted religious communities, particularly those perceived as supportive of opposition movements. Since the disputed 2020 election, which sparked mass protests, numerous clergy members across various denominations have faced detention, silencing, or forced exile for their perceived dissent.
The sentencing of Father Akalatovich underscores the escalating repression of religious freedoms in Belarus. As the international community watches, there is a growing call for solidarity with the Belarusian Catholic community and all those who face persecution for their faith and convictions.
