"A weapon to fight dissent." New amendments to the Criminal Code approved by the Belarusian deputies
Deputies of the House of Representatives adopted with the first reading the draft law "On changing codes on criminal liability". Among other things, the deputies approved the death penalty for treason for officials and military personnel, and by analogy with Russian legislation, punishment for discrediting the army is also introduced. Viasna reports what other changes were approved by the Belarusian deputies.
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What other changes were approved by the deputies?
The website of the House of Representatives states that "in order to exert a deterrent effect on destructive elements, as well as to demonstrate a resolute fight against treason," the draft law proposes amendments to the sanction of part 2 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code, providing for the possibility of applying an exceptional punishment in the form of the death penalty for treason committed by an official holding a public position, or a person holding the status of a serviceman.
It should be noted that at the moment 23 people have been convicted under Article 356 of the Criminal Code in connection with protest activities in Belarus. Among them there are persons who held public office: a former KGB lieutenant colonel Aliaksei Khralovich, captain of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Dzianis Urad, lieutenant colonel of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Dzmitryi Samsonau. But note that if this law is adopted, it will not be retroactive.
An addition is made to Article 369-1 of the Criminal Code in order to establish responsibility for the dissemination of deliberately false information discrediting the Armed Forces, other troops and military formations, paramilitary organizations of the Republic of Belarus.
"The introduction of such a legal norm will be an effective preventive measure for the dissemination of deliberately false and untrue information about the Belarusian army and other 'power structures'," the deputies explain.
It is proposed to introduce the articles like "Propaganda of terrorism" and "Violation of the requirements for the protection of state secrets" into the Criminal Code, "since the establishment of criminal liability for the propaganda of terrorism will help prevent the dissemination of information rehabilitating terrorism and prevent the recognition of the practice and ideology of terrorism as behaviors which are correct and deserving support."
The fine for crimes against the peace and security of mankind, public safety, traffic safety, public health, and the state increases to a maximum of 50 thousand basic units, now it is 1,850,000 rubles (about 621 thousand euros).
A person suspected of treason, conspiracy to seize power, espionage, terrorism or sabotage will be detained on suspicion for up to 10 days, and charged within 20 days. As the deputies write, "this is due to the fact that often, in addition to the procedural consolidation of evidence, operational and investigative combinations are actively carried out at the initial stage, and 72 hours of detention is not enough for them."
"The adoption of the draft law will make it possible to more effectively implement a set of measures aimed at identifying and countering extremist and terrorist structures, as well as attempts by foreign special services and organizations to involve Belarusian citizens in activities aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus," the deputies explain the need to adopt these changes.
