Latest Minsk News

Poland puts judge who defected to Belarus on wanted list, opening way to international warrant

May. 16, 2024 07:38 AM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A controversial judge who fled from Poland to neighboring autocratic Belarus has been put on a wanted list, a step toward an international arrest warrant on espionage allegations, the Polish national prosecutors' office said Thursday. ...

Belarus arrests well-known activist on charges punishable by up to 4 years in prison, group says

Apr. 02, 2024 14:03 PM EDT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Authorities in Belarus have arrested a well-known activist on charges punishable by up to four years in prison, the country's oldest rights group said Tuesday in what appears to be the latest in the yearslong crackdown on dissent. Dzmitry Kuchuk, whose...

Belarus cracks down on clergy who supported protests of its authoritarian leader

Feb. 23, 2024 05:09 AM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — The Rev. Viachaslau Barok was a familiar face in Rasony, a town in northern Belarus near the Russian border, overseeing construction of its Roman Catholic church and celebrating Mass daily for two decades. He got into trouble in December 2020, the height of...

European diplomats have condemned the closed-door trial of a Catholic activist in Belarus

Feb. 21, 2024 12:22 PM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — European diplomats in Belarus have condemned the trial of a Catholic activist in Minsk as “unfair” and “politically motivated.” Uladzislau Beladzed's trial began behind closed doors at Minsk City Court on Wednesday. The 33-year-old...