A brand new invoice envisions capital punishment for public servants and navy servicemen discovered responsible of treason in Belarus
The Belarusian parliament on Wednesday superior a invoice that will introduce the demise penalty for public servants and members of the nation’s navy discovered responsible of treason.
Doubtlessly enacting capital punishment for this offense is designed to have a “deterring impact on damaging parts,” in addition to to “reveal resolve in combating treason,” the Belarusian parliament mentioned in a press release. The laws additionally comes amid the federal government’s efforts to take “preventive measures” to battle “extremist” and terrorist offenses, it added.
Learn extra
Belarusian chief reveals new navy association with Russia
At the moment, committing treason yields solely prolonged jail phrases, in line with Belarusian laws. Whereas widespread residents discovered responsible of this crime threat touchdown behind bars for seven to 15 years, public servants face ten to 20 years in jail.
Earlier this yr, Minsk launched the demise penalty for acts of terrorism as nicely. These discovered responsible of “tried terrorism,” in addition to of plotting to assassinate a state or outstanding public determine, now face capital punishment as nicely.
On the identical time, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko indicated late final yr that capital punishment could be abolished within the nation altogether, however solely after a nation-wide referendum. Belarus held a plebiscite on holding the demise penalty again within the mid-1990s, when greater than 80% of the nation’s residents opted to maintain the capital punishment possibility within the nation’s legislation.
