Belarusian New Life Protestant church fined USD 100,000

• 26.02.2010, 12:24

Judge of Maskouski district of Minsk Alena Shylko issued a verdict to New Life Full Gospel congregation in the suit of the Nature Protection Committee affiliated to Minsk city executive committee.

The church is to reimburse Br 263 mln (almost USD 100,000) for damage allegedly done to environment, and to pay Br 8 mln 750 thousand of fine, Radio Svaboda informs.

It was informed by the lawyer of the church Syarhei Lukanin.

Syarhei Lukanin notes that without the knowledge or consent from the church and without any witnesses the Nature Protection Committee has taken soil samples at the territory near the church. Tests demonstrated high content of oil products. Lukanin’s arguments that before the congregation bought the building of the former cow shed, an unsanctioned city dump was situated nearby, and that there was an old cars too, has not been taken into account by the judge.

New Life church plans to take an appeal from the ruling of the court in relevant authorities.