Latest Minsk News

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...

Russia and West clash over Ukraine at Security Council meeting ahead of war anniversary

Feb. 12, 2024 21:08 PM EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia accused the West on Monday of sabotaging agreements that would have prevented the war in Ukraine – but the U.S. and its allies put the blame squarely on Moscow, saying there is no escaping that President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of its smaller neighbor. ...

Rights group reports more arrests as Belarus intensifies crackdown on dissent

Jan. 25, 2024 15:21 PM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A rights group on Thursday reported dozens more home raids and arrests across Belarus in the latest intensification of a years-long crackdown on dissent in the country of 9.5 million people. The Viasna human rights center said it knew of at least 159 people...