Lukashenko signs law to toughen liability for crimes against the state

On March 9, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a law "On Amendments to the Criminal Code," said the press service of the Belarusian leader.

The main purpose of the document is to strengthen the fight against extremist (terrorist) and anti-state crimes.

The law provides for the extension of criminal liability for treason committed by an official to all individuals occupying public office. At the same time for the treason committed by an official or a military man, the possibility of an exceptional punishment, the death penalty, is introduced.

Additional punishment in the form of a fine of up to 50,000 basic units is introduced for a number of anti-state crimes. This measure is designed to provide unconditional compensation for the harm caused by such acts and deprive the perpetrators of the means to continue their criminal activities.

Criminal liability is introduced for propaganda of terrorism, discrediting the Armed Forces, other troops and military formations, paramilitary organizations, and violation of requirements to protect state secrets.

The time period for detention of persons suspected of committing state treason, conspiracy or other actions aimed at seizing state power, espionage and undercover activities was increased from three to ten days in order to ensure the highest possible quality of operational and investigative activities in relevant cases.

At the same time, the law provides for exemption from criminal liability of persons, who made preparations for attack on the institutions enjoying international protection or for committing diversion, but renounced their intentions and assisted in the prevention of the mentioned crimes.

Some adjustments are also made to the Code of Criminal Procedure based on the practice of its application.