Catholic layman faces 2 years in prison in Belarus

ALEKSANDROVKA, Belarus — A young Catholic layman, who turned his home in the western Belarus village of Aleksandrovka, Grodno Region, into a shelter for homeless people with a prayer room, is being accused of leading an unregistered religious organization, according Forum 18 News Service.

Aleksei Shchedrov — who said he has helped about 100 local people since December 2011 — is being investigated on criminal charges and faces a maximum possible sentence of two years’ imprisonment. The criminal investigation against 28-year-old Shchedrov followed police raids on the shelter in February and April.

“I am a Christian and I started to help those who are in need,” he said to Forum 18.

“I give them food, a bed, a bath and clothes, and I pray together with them. But this is no religious organization, just charity.”