Pastor in Homieĺ fined 3.6 mln

The Court of Homieĺ’s Centralny district heard today the charges brought against Siarhei Nikalayenka, pastor of a local Protestant Church “Transfiguration”. As a result, he was fined 20 basic units for arranging a service of the registered religious organization beyond the place of its registration.

On May 31, during a Sunday service, an officially rented premise was raided by riot police with a video camera. They started recording all those present, and the service was disrupted. The police officers said they allegedly received a phone call about “a crowd holding an unauthorized event”.

The believers were questioned and ordered to leave the premises.

As a result, the pastor and five parishioners of the church faced administrative charges. The pastor refused to sign the administrative offense report, saying that he did not admit his guilt.