A Famous Belarusian Priest Is Wanted By The Police

• 27.05.2026, 9:15

Because of "extremism."

Archpriest Georgy (Yuri) Roy, a priest of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, was declared wanted in Belarus. He announced this on his page in Facebook, ironically noting that his photo is now posted on "They are wanted by the police" stands across the country.

According to Mediazona, Yuri Roy, born in 1978, is also wanted in Russia. Belarusian law enforcers claim that the priest allegedly committed crimes under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of Belarus - "promotion of extremist activity." The maximum punishment under these articles provides up to six years of imprisonment.

As a rule, such cases in Belarus end with special proceedings and sentencing in absentia.

Georgy Roy became famous after the events of August 2020, when he openly spoke out against violence. Even before the presidential election, he reminded parishioners during a worship service of the biblical words that "the father of lies is the devil" and urged them not to support lies "in whatever form they may appear." In July 2021, he was removed from his position as rector of the Intercession Cathedral in Hrodna.

The priest later left Belarus, and in 2023, together with Alexander Kukhta, came under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Both now live in Lithuania.