Belarus Frees Two Catholic Priests Amid Border Reopening

By Hammad Kahlun
International Correspondent

SNN Finland

Belarus has released two Catholic priests, Henryk Okolotovich and Andrzej Yukhnevich, who were previously recognized as political prisoners. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Belarus confirmed the development through its press service.

Both priests had been sentenced to long prison terms on fabricated charges: Okolotovich to 11 years and Yukhnevich to 13 years.

Okolotovich was accused of “spying for Poland and the Vatican,” while Yukhnevich faced retroactively constructed accusations. Both have denied all wrongdoing.

Officials suggest that the priests’ release may have been a condition for reopening the Polish-Belarusian border.

One Catholic priest, Polish monk Grzegorz Gawel, remains in detention in Belarus, also facing espionage charges.

About The Author

Hammad Kahlon

See author's posts