Belarus moves to legalize capital punishment for treason in government office and military
The lower chamber of the Belarus parliament has passed a law authorizing capital punishment for treason, if committed by a government official or a member of the Belarus military.
The new law also increases other penalties for crimes against the state, including violations of secrecy and “terrorist propaganda.”
People detained on suspicions of treason, conspiracy to overthrow the government, espionage, sabotage, and other crimes against the state can now be kept in custody for up to 20 days before facing actual charges. This is twice the former legal maximum.
The bill now has to be approved by the parliament’s upper chamber and signed by the president before it takes effect.
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