Lukashenka signs amnesty law

The Law of the Republic of Belarus “Concerning amnesty in connection with the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945” enters into force on the day of its official publicat

The Law aims to implement the principle of humanity in connection with the important date in the history of the Republic of Belarus – the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, writes BelTA with the reference to the official website of the Belarus President.

The amnesty will apply to the prisoners who committed minor crimes (under-age offenders, pregnant women, women and single men with children under the age of 18, pensioners, people with the first- and second-degree disabilities, combat veterans injured during their military service and related activities, people affected by the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and a few other categories of convicts).

The prison terms of certain categories of convicts who are not subject to amnesty will be reduced by one year.

Taking into account the precedents in the application of amnesty, it does not apply to people who were amnestied or pardoned in the period from 2009 to 2015 and who committed another deliberate crime; people who did not indemnify for the damage caused by their crimes or did not return the illegally obtained money; grave violators of prison regulations; people sentenced for crimes against peace and security of the mankind, homicide, willful infliction of a serious corporal injury, sexual crimes, racketeering, terrorism, civil unrest, DUI which caused an injury or death, illegal drug trade and other grave offenses.

The amnesty will apply to 8,600 convicts, including 2,200 prisoners.