Ukrainian bishop detained in Minsk airport

• 16.10.2008, 14:18

Ukrainian bishop of Jesus Christ church Veniamin Brukh was detained by frontier guards in airport Minsk-2.

The bishop was placed in the isolation ward for deportees. He hasn’t been informed about the reason for deportation and detention, Radio Svaboda informs.

“While visa sanctions are lifted for high officials, a person who has made a considerable contribution to the spiritual development of the nation is not allowed to enter the country any more. I do not understand why bishop Veniamin has been denied entry to Belarus without any explanations,” stated the senior pastor of Jesus Christ Church Barys Charnahlaz (Boris Chernoglaz).

“We will endeavor best efforts to receive an official explanation of the reasons for Veniamin Brukh’s deportation from the official bodies of Belarus. Anyway, it is obvious that the situation is a human rights violation,” lawyer Syarhei Shautsou believes.

Mr Brukh is a citizen of Ukraine, a founder of Jesus Christ Church. He was the pastor of this church from 1991 till 2002, an unregistered organisation Christian Human Rights Defence House informs.