Belarus enhances responsibility for military activities abroad

Belarus has enhanced responsibility for extremism and participation in military activities. The law was passed by the parliament in two readings on April 4 and signed by President Lukashenka on the same day.

The law, published at the National Legal Internet Portal on April 22, sets forth criminal responsibility for extremism and participation in military activities abroad. 

The existing law has received some amendments to prevent extremist activities and military activities abroad. It also forbids using so-called Molotov cocktails for anti-social and malicious purposes.

The PenalCode will now have two new provisions - Creation of extremist groupings and Financing of extremist activities. People returned guilty of these crimes will be sentenced to restricted freedom for up to 5 years or imprisoned for 3-7 years.  

Criminal responsibility is also envisaged for the transportation of materials containing appeals for extremism and advertising such activities.  

The administrative responsibility for the distribution of information containing appeals for extremism will be enhanced and expanded.

Belarusian citizens or residents involved in military activities abroad will be sentenced to restricted freedom for up to five years and imprisoned for 2-5 years if there are no traces of a crime according to article 133 of the Penal Code.

People who hire and encourage Belarusians to take part in an armed grouping and finance such activities will be imprisoned for 5-10 years if there are no traces of a crime according to article 132 ‘Recruitment, training usage and financing of hirelings’.

The law will come into force 10 days after its official publication.