Priest Lazar released from KGB jail

But the criminal case against him hasn't been dropped.

This information appeared on the website of the Belarusian Catholic Church.

The Apostolic Nunciature in the Republic of Belarus has been informed by the authorised agencies that there are no grounds to further hold priest Uladzislau Lazar in custody in the KGB pre-trial detention facility. It was decided that during the ongoing investigation the priest should stay in a permanent place having the freedom of movement and action in accordance with the existing norms and register at a police station on a daily basis. The Apostolic Nuncio was asked to take priest Lazar from the KGB pre-trial detention facility,” catholic.by reports.

Lukashenka said in July 26 about the arrest of an officer of the Belarusian security services working for foreign states through representatives of the Catholic Church. The security officer “didn't only gave information, his activity harmed the people who work abroad,” he said. Priest Uladzislau Lazar was reported to have been detained later.

Priest from Barysau Uladzislau Lazar was arrested in late May and thrown into the KGB pre-trial detention centre. The top officials of the Catholic Church were informed three months later that the priest was accused of giving money to a persons suspected of spying against Belarus.

Pope Francis had an audience with metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz in early October. He said he wanted to know all details about the case of the arrested priest and promised to follow the developments. The Pope expressed his deep concern over the situation.