Conference of Catholic bishops of Belarus discusses criminal prosecution of priest Lazar

As stated at the website catholic.by, on 12 September the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Belarus received information from the state organs about the detention of priest Uladzislau Lazar.

As reported at September 12 catholic.by Conference of Catholic Bishops of Belarus received from government agencies about the arrest of . Vladislav Lazarus.

The authorities stated that the priest was really detained by the KGB and was kept in the remand prison of the KGB in Minsk.

He is charged with violating part 1 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, and his criminal liability is determined by paragraph 6 of Article 16 of theCriminal Code. Priest Lazar is charged with the transfer of money and property to a person who is accused of spying for another country.

At the request of the church hierarchy he received an assurance that the rights of the priest would be observed in conformity with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

In the near future the Apostolic Nuncio in Belarus Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti will be given the opportunity of a personal meeting with Uladzislau Lazar.

The state authorities guarantee that the church hierarchy will be regularly informed of the results of the investigation, which still continues. According to the government authorities, this episode will not affect the climate of trust of Belarus to the Apostolic See and the respect for the Catholic Church.