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.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Jack Gardner on UnsplashPersecuted church
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.
According to Forum 18, Azerbaijani authorities have initiated more than 50 administrative prosecutions against individuals for holding unapproved religious meetings between January and mid-September 2026. Courts in Baku, Absheron, and Sumgait have fined Muslims and Christians under Administrative Code Articles 515.0.2 and 515.0.3. Fines range from 1,500 to 8,000 Manats, representing significant portions of average wages. The State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations declined to comment on the enforcement actions. The European Court of Human Rights has previously ruled that such restrictions violate freedom of religion, though many victims report unpaid compensation.
The Armenian Apostolic Church has condemned the government's new five-year programme, which includes a commitment to remove Catholicos Karekin. The Church's Supreme Spiritual Council stated that the National Assembly lacks the authority to interfere in internal church matters, citing constitutional guarantees of religious autonomy. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s spokesperson insisted the state does not wish to appoint a new Catholicos but aims to restore the church's own governing bodies. Human rights defenders argue the move violates international standards on freedom of religion. Meanwhile, legal proceedings against the Catholicos and six bishops continue in Armenian courts.
Russian authorities are prosecuting individuals for alleged cooperation with foreign organizations designated as 'undesirable.' Olga Sibiryova of the Sova Centre faces charges after an international alliance cited her reports without her knowledge. Additionally, a Baptist church in Moscow Region and two Protestant universities were fined for possessing literature from Mission Eurasia, a US-based missionary body. Courts ordered the destruction of confiscated Bibles and booklets. Forum 18 reports that prosecutors have not responded to inquiries regarding these minimal participation cases. The Justice Ministry maintains a register of such groups, banning involvement with them under administrative and criminal codes.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Samuele Vigano on UnsplashPersecuted church
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.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Jarl Schmidt on UnsplashPersecuted church
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.
Yevhen Nabraklo, a 40-year-old Pentecostal conscientious objector in Ukraine, died in a Rivne hospital on January 1. His family alleges he was emaciated and lacked proper medical care after being seized by recruitment officials. Police are conducting a pre-trial investigation into the cause of death. Nabraklo’s pastor cited religious freedom concerns, noting Nabraklo refused combat due to faith. This case highlights broader issues regarding the lack of alternative civilian service during wartime and reported abuses against objectors in military custody, as noted by UN inquiries.
Belarusian authorities have opened criminal cases against two exiled religious freedom advocates, Sergiy Melyanets and Natallia Vasilevich, according to Forum 18. Melyanets, a Protestant preacher, was targeted in January, while Vasilevich, moderator of the Christian Vision group, faced charges in April. The KGB recently labeled Christian Vision as extremist. Investigators have not clarified the specific charges or the legal status of the individuals. Both activists remain outside Belarus but risk arrest if they enter the country or allied states like Russia. The regime reportedly aims to instill fear, though the defenders continue their work. This development highlights increasing pressure on religious minorities and human rights monitors in Belarus.
A young man in Uzbekistan faces a lengthy prison sentence for posting Shia musical lamentations on Telegram. Police arrested him in late June, claiming the content threatened public order. Authorities have conducted warrantless raids on at least ten Shia homes since May. The suspect is held in an investigation prison, though officials deny his exact location. This crackdown targets religious expression, as Shia communities lack state registration. Other believers report similar harassment and legal pressure from Uzbek authorities, highlighting the severe risks faced by unregistered religious minorities in the region.
The criminal trial of Armenian Apostolic Church leader Catholicos Karekin and six bishops began on 7 August in the Armavir Region of Armenia. The defendants face up to two years in prison for refusing to reinstate a dismissed bishop, a decision the state views as obstructing justice. Human rights advocates and defense lawyers argue the case violates the church's constitutional autonomy and international standards on religious freedom. The proceedings occur during heightened tensions between the church hierarchy and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has previously called for the Catholicos to resign. The trial highlights ongoing conflicts over state interference in internal church matters.
Vladimir Rytikov, a Baptist pastor in Krasnodon, Russian-occupied Luhansk Region, faces deportation after a local court rejected his appeal on July 17. The Russian Federal Security Service labels him a security threat, citing his leadership of the Council of Churches Baptist community. Rytikov, who has lived in the area for 66 years, reports repeated fines and raids for unregistered religious activities since 2018. Russian officials have also halted his pension and seized property documents. Forum 18 notes that authorities ignored inquiries regarding the deportation order. This case reflects broader restrictions on religious freedom in occupied Ukrainian territories, as highlighted by recent UN reports condemning such practices.
Since January, Belarusian officials have denied renewal requests for at least a dozen Polish Catholic priests. Aleksandr Rumak, the state’s chief religious affairs official, refuses to explain the rejections. Archbishop Iosif Stanevsky states these long-serving clergy are increasingly barred from working. Deputy officials declined to comment when questioned by Forum 18. This policy exacerbates a severe clergy shortage, forcing remaining priests to manage multiple parishes. Some priests, like Fr Lech Bachanek, consider applying for citizenship to bypass annual permit reviews. The regime maintains strict control over foreign religious workers through the Plenipotentiary for Religious and Ethnic Affairs.
Dmytro Koval, a 50-year-old Ukrainian Baptist conscientious objector, died on 21 March after being sent to the Skelya Assault Regiment. His widow reports he was tortured for refusing food, resulting in severe injuries. The family alleges a cover-up as investigators have provided no updates or forensic results. This case highlights broader issues at the unit, where the Military Ombudsperson acknowledged high risks of rights violations. Concurrently, other Jehovah’s Witnesses face similar abuse and imprisonment in Ukraine for refusing military service, drawing UN concern over the lack of alternative civilian service options during martial law.
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