Lithuanian Old Believer Priest Detained in Belarus
Lithuanian citizen and Old Believer priest M. R. was detained in Belarus during Pentecost services, allegedly for document forgery related to registering a religious community.
A Lithuanian citizen and Old Believer priest, identified as M. R., has been detained in the village of Kukliany, Pastavy district, Belarus. The arrest occurred during Pentecost services while he was visiting Belarus to take part in local community events.
According to a local Telegram news channel, the detention is linked to allegations of document forgery in an attempt to register a religious community. The priest is suspected of lacking the required paperwork, as the community is not officially registered in Belarus.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Lithuanian embassy in Belarus has been informed of the detention but cannot disclose the individual's identity. Jevgenijus Grigorjevas, a representative of the Lithuanian Old Believer Church, stated that M. R. is well known in the community and was previously associated with the Perelozai parish, noting that his activities have also drawn attention in Lithuania.
Belarusian authorities have not yet released official information regarding the detention.
