{"id":136294,"date":"2025-04-30T19:38:47","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T16:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/136294\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"priest-juchnievic-sentenced-to-13-years-in-prison-report","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/136294\/","title":{"rendered":"Priest Juchnievi\u010d sentenced to 13 years in prison"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n File photo (catholic.by)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

April 30, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Andrej Juchnievi\u010d, rector of the church of Our Lady of F\u00e1tima in \u0160umilina, Viciebsk region, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katolik.life<\/em> reported, citing believers, that the sentence was handed down today by the chairwoman of the \u0160umilina District Court, Ina Hrabo\u016dskaja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The site pointed out that she tried the priest behind closed doors. According to the court schedule, he faced three charges relating to sexual relations with minors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources said that Juchnievi\u010d denied all charges and pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The accusation is based on the testimony of one or several “victims” who may have testified under pressure, sources said, noting that the case concerns events that took place about 10 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In July, Chry\u015bcijanskaja Vizija<\/em> reported that Juchnievi\u010d was transferred to a pre-trial detention center after serving several jail terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transfer most likely indicates that the authorities filed criminal charges against him, it noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juchnievi\u010d was arrested on May 8 along with his colleague Pavie\u0142 Lemiech on suspicion of subversive activity against the Belarusian state, following a Viciebsk diocese church meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemiech was released after serving 10 days in jail, while Juchnievi\u010d remained in custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both are known as the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a Catholic congregation founded in the early 19th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On June 25, rights groups declared Juchnievi\u010d a political prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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