Belarusian ruler Alexandr Lukashenko in Minsk
Image: AP
The anti-Russian mood in the country is apparently making the Belarusian ruler nervous. In fast-forward, a new law was passed that targets its opponents.
Dhe Belarusian ruler Alexandr Lukashenko is now threatening his domestic political opponents and saboteurs, who act in the tradition of the partisans against the supply of Russian troops in Ukraine, with the death penalty. Lukashenko signed a law on this on Wednesday, which has been in summary proceedings since the end of April by the authorities who have been brought into line Belarus had been brought. The action shows the nervousness of the ruler, who has known a majority of Belarusians against him since the mass protests against the fake presidential election in 2020 and who is now under additional pressure from Russia’s Ukraine war.
Belarus is the only European country that death penalty imposed and executed – by a shot in the neck and under such strict secrecy that the relatives are not even handed over the body of the executed man. The death penalty has already been provided for by law for a number of criminal offenses, including those in the areas of terrorism, aggressive war and genocide. In practice, however, according to Amnesty International, it is currently only imposed in the case of “premeditated murder under aggravating circumstances”. According to human rights defenders, at least one execution took place in the past year. In future – the new law will come into force ten days after official publication – the death penalty can be imposed “for attempting to commit a terrorist attack”, including for “preparing” for “the murder of a state or social actor”. with the aim of influencing the decision-making of state authorities or intimidating the population”.