A court in Belarus's Minsk Region sentenced Catholic priest Fr Anatol Parakhnevich to three years in prison in October. Masked officers arrested him in March. Court officials refused to disclose details, stating it is forbidden. The Christian Vision group notes the charges remain unknown. UN experts have criticized Belarus's judicial system for violating fair trial rights. Church spokesperson Fr Yuri Yasevich confirmed the appeal. Authorities continue to restrict information regarding religious figures in the country.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by siddharth kushwaha on UnsplashPersecuted church
A young Shia Muslim in Uzbekistan faces a lengthy prison sentence for distributing religious poetry on Telegram. His trial resumed with a judge claiming the content was extremist. Authorities have raided homes of other Shia individuals who fled the country. Additionally, Muslim prisoners of conscience face harsh conditions and delayed releases. The Interior Ministry refused to comment on these cases, citing instructions not to answer questions over the phone. This report highlights the severe persecution faced by religious minorities in the region, with specific details about locations and private individuals removed to protect their safety.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Hongbin on UnsplashPersecuted church
Nine Muslim men are standing trial in a city in Kazakhstan, accused of belonging to the banned Tabligh Jamaat movement. Prosecutors rely on secret recordings made by the National Security Committee and expert analyses to claim the defendants engaged in extremist propaganda. The charges carry potential prison sentences of up to two years. While the defense argues the conversations were religious, not criminal, officials admit no violence was advocated. This case follows a recent trial where twelve others were jailed for similar charges, highlighting ongoing restrictions on religious freedom in the country.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ilie Barna on UnsplashPersecuted church
Courts in seven Russian regions have banned twelve Council of Churches Baptist communities for meeting without state registration or notification. Prosecutors argue that this failure hinders state oversight and threatens public order. The practice of imposing such prohibitions increased notably in 2024 and 2025, with most bans occurring in the Krasnodar Region. Despite court orders, many communities continue to worship. Meanwhile, new legislative amendments propose restricting religious services in residential premises, which could further impact unregistered groups. This trend affects Baptists primarily, though other minorities may also face legal risks under the current regulatory framework.
On 6 October, a Russian-controlled court in the occupied Luhansk Region of Ukraine rejected the appeal of Baptist Pastor Vladimir Rytikov against his deportation. The Federal Security Service (FSB) labeled him a security threat, allegedly for leading an unregistered church, though specific details were not provided. Rytikov, who has lived in Krasnodon for 67 years, faces expulsion after officials annulled his residence permit. He stated that his family ties and long-term residence were ignored by the court. This case highlights ongoing Russian efforts to prosecute religious leaders for missionary activity in occupied territories.
A court in Kazakhstan sentenced an independent Orthodox priest to four years in prison on drug-related charges following a closed trial. The cleric denies the allegations, claiming authorities planted synthetic substances at his home to target him for opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine and for seeking to register his independent parish. He has appealed the decision. The case highlights ongoing restrictions on religious freedom and political dissent in Kazakhstan, where officials have repeatedly rejected the registration of his community. This incident underscores the severe challenges faced by independent religious groups in the region.
A woman of Kazakh ethnicity, currently residing in Kazakhstan, faces a five-year prison sentence. Her family reports severe health deterioration and psychological stress. She was convicted for inciting discord after protesting her husband's imprisonment in China. Although her initial appeal failed, she has lodged a cassation appeal citing poor health and lack of malicious intent. The court will hear her case in the future. Meanwhile, other religious trials continue in the region, including cases against Sunni Muslims and an Orthodox priest. She remains under probation restrictions while awaiting her final legal outcome.
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