DISINFO: Opposition groups in Belarus, like Satanists, attacked Orthodox church believers
SUMMARY
The Orthodox Easter turned out to be complicated for Belarus due to the coronavirus pandemic and outrage by Satanists, who literally shut the road to church for believers and called them to protest against the state authorities instead. Opposition activists, nationalists, bloggers, and journalists played the role of Satanists. They waged a propaganda campaign, harassment and persecution of believers. To choose a square instead of church is akin to replacing the belief in God with serving the devil.
RESPONSE
This is a conspiracy consistent with a pro-Kremlin propaganda narrative about the Belarusian opposition's attempts to organise a full-scale split from the Russian Orthodox Church. Often the Belarusian opposition is accused of being funded by the West and therefore its alleged anti-Orthodox activities are presented as attempts by the West to destabilise Belarus and organise a colour revolution there. A number of political groups, civil activists, bloggers and journalists in Belarus informed about the need for further reduction of physical contact in Belarus to minimise the risks of infection during the epidemic. Belarusian media informed about the Ministry of Health recommendations to avoid attending churches for people with symptoms and to organise Easter services outside churches. Each of three opposition candidates for presidency who were taking part in primaries recorded Easter greetings (1, 2, and 3) and no one harassed or persecuted Orthodox church believers as alleged. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that West-funded totalitarian sectarians aim to destroy Orthodox church in Belarus, that the West began destabilising Belarus through religious issues, and that the West supports Belarusian environmental NGOs in a struggle against Russia and Russian Orthodox church.