Minsk: Court Marshals Demand from Protestant Pastor to Pay Court Fee for Liquidation of His Religious Community

According to RFE/RL

Marshals of Minsk Maskouski Borough Court demand from Ernst Sabila, pastor of Belarusian Evangelic Church, to pay the court fee for liquidation of this religious community, liquidated by the court in august 2005. The liquidation trial was initiated by Minsk City Executive Committee, but Ernst Sabila is made to pay the court fee, 127 500 rubles (about $60). The court marshals threatened that in the case he wouldn’t pay the fee, they would exact it from his pension.

On 13 February Ernst Sabila received the letter, in which the court marshals warned him they would come to his home and attach his property, for which he would also have to pay. Besides, the pensioner can be sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest for non-payment of the court fee.

-- I am not going to pay. Firstly, my pension is small. Secondly, according to the legislation, the church is to be represented by its founders. However, they want to mock at me and satisfy their sadism. It is intimidation so that people wouldn’t establish protestant churches and feel free, -- said the pastor.

Mr. Sabila also said that even despite the juridical liquidation the congregation will gather for masses and prayers.