Belarusian deputies adopted a law on the death penalty for officials for treason
Deputies of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on Tuesday adopted in the second, final, reading a draft law providing, among other things, for the introduction of the death penalty for officials for committing treason against the state. This was reported by the press service of the lower house of parliament.
“The draft law “On Amendments to the Codes on Criminal Liability” was adopted in the second reading,” the report says. After approval by the Council of the Republic, the document adopted by the deputies in the first reading on December 7, 2022, will go to the president of the country for signature.
The draft law proposes to amend the sanction of Part 2 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code “Treason to the State”, providing for the possibility of applying an exceptional measure of punishment in the form of the death penalty for treason against the state committed by an official holding a public position, or a person who is covered by the status of a military man. In this regard, articles 58 and 59 of the Criminal Code – “Life imprisonment” and “Death penalty” are being brought into line. As noted in the press service of the House of Representatives, changes are made to the legislation “in order to provide a deterrent effect on destructive elements, as well as to demonstrate a resolute struggle against treason to the state.”
Fines and terms of detention
The document proposes to establish the fine for anti-state crimes in the range from 500 to 50,000 basic units. At present, the size of the base value – an indicator used to calculate duties, fines and a number of other payments – is 37 Belarusian rubles (about 980 rubles at the current exchange rate of the National Bank of Belarus).
In addition, the bill provides for an increase in the period of detention of those suspected of espionage, treason and a number of other anti-state crimes by up to 10 days, and the period for bringing charges – up to 20 days from the moment of detention. This is explained by the fact that 72 hours of detention are often not enough to carry out operational and investigative measures provided for by the current legislation.
It also introduces liability for the dissemination of deliberately false information that discredits the armed forces, other troops and military formations, paramilitary organizations of Belarus.
Section XIII of the Criminal Code of Belarus “Crimes against the state and the exercise of power and control” contains articles providing for liability, including for treason, espionage, undercover activities, an act of terrorism against a statesman or public figure, committing sabotage, calls for sanctions, creation extremist formation or participation in it, financing of extremist activity, participation in the territory of a foreign state in an armed formation or armed conflict, assistance to extremist activity.