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Catholic priest in Belarus sentenced to 11 years as crackdown tightens

A Catholic priest in Belarus, Fr. Andrzej Juchniewicz, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison on charges of "extremism" and "inciting hatred," reflecting the ongoing crackdown on dissent in the country. This sentence is part of a broader suppression of opposition voices following the 2020 presidential election, where Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory amidst widespread allegations of fraud. The Belarusian government has increasingly targeted religious figures, with Fr. Juchniewicz's case highlighting the regime's efforts to stifle any form of opposition or independent thought. His arrest and conviction have drawn international condemnation, with human rights organizations and religious leaders calling for his immediate release and criticizing the Belarusian authorities for violating freedom of religion and expression.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/catholic-priest-in-belarus-sentenced-to-11-years-as-crackdown-tightens/ar-AA1wIszk ]