Leniency proposed for those convicted of economic effenses

Lukashenka has proposed another amnesty program The Belarusian government may launch two amnesty programs for prisoners this year. The House of Representatives has recently passed an amnesty bill introduced by the Belarusian leader. In a separate move, persons convicted of economic crimes may also be released. The president suggested removing some articles from the Criminal Code and adding them to the Administrative Offenses Code.

For instance, tax evasion will be punishable by a prison sentence if unpaid taxes amount to more than 35 million rubels (more than $12,000). Earlier, the limit was 8.7 million ($3,000). A more lenient punishment will be imposed for "illegal business activity."

Viktar Huminski, chairman of the House of Representatives National Security Committee, says that the case files of all convicts sentenced under articles removed from the Criminal Code will be reviewed and they will be freed.  The ex-convicts will not be eligible for any compensation or apologies from the authorities, Huminski told ERB.

Henadz Vyartsinski, spokesman for the Prosecutor General's Office, would not say how many persons convicted of economic crimes will be eligible for amnesty.

"I have found out in the department dealing with the matter. They have made some estimates but would not release the exact numbers now. That is what they said," Vyartsinski told ERB.

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