According to Russian news agencies, the use of the death penalty in Belarus is being expanded. In the future, it could be imposed for attempted terrorism, Interfax and RIA Novosti reported Wednesday, citing a document on the Belarus judicial website. This shows that President Alexander Lukashenko has signed the amendment to the law.
Until now, in the former Soviet Republic of Belarus, the death penalty could be imposed for terrorist attacks resulting in death, brutal murder and multiple murders.
continuation of oppression
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the law could also include the death penalty for pro-democracy activists and those opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine. “The Lukashenko regime continues to repress pro-democracy and anti-war movements in Belarus, including through violence and these recent legislative changes.”
Blinken’s statement said Lukashenko’s regime had filed politically motivated charges for “extremism” and “terrorism” against many of the more than 1,100 political prisoners. Tens of thousands of other people were also arrested on such charges. These are citizens who want to exercise their fundamental freedoms – “peaceful protesters, members of civil society, journalists, political opponents and those arrested for speaking out against Russia’s unjust war against Ukraine and Belarus’ supporting role in it “.
Protesters labeled as “terrorists”.
Lukashenko, who has been criticized as the “last dictator in Europe”, has repeatedly described people who have protested his allegedly faked reelection since 2020 as “terrorists”. The 67-year-old is considered a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Belarus’ parliament voted to extend the law after activists tried to destroy parts of the railway network. This should make it more difficult for Russia to bring soldiers to Ukraine via Belarus. Belarus admitted that Russian soldiers entered Ukraine through its territory. Belarus, however, was not directly involved in the invasion.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, describing the invasion as a special operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine. On the contrary, Western states see it as a war of aggression.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
