The main thing is to prevent

In the past year, no potential threats to national security arose in the Vitebsk region, and no terrorist acts occurred. However, isolated instances of extremism were identified and promptly suppressed.

State security and internal affairs bodies continuously monitored media publications in cooperation with the Vitebsk Regional Expert Commission for the Assessment of Information Products for the presence or absence of signs of extremism.

Attempts to disseminate destructive information materials on the Internet are suppressed, taking into account the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in the Vitebsk region.

Preventive measures, based on the results of operational-search and other activities, were taken by state security and internal affairs bodies in the necessary scope and in a timely manner, which allowed for the suppression or prevention of manifestations of extremism.

During public-political, cultural, entertainment, sports, and other mass events, no public order violations or manifestations of extremism were registered; proper law and order were ensured.

Overall, the socio-political situation in the region was stable. No emergency situations posing a danger to the population were recorded in the past year.

At the same time, law enforcement agencies in the region continue to carry out preventive measures aimed at preventing manifestations of extremism and terrorism.

Thus, in the past year, working groups comprising employees of state security, prosecution, internal affairs, and emergency response bodies conducted monitoring of certain critically important facilities in the region in accordance with the work plan of the Vitebsk Regional Commission for Combating Extremism and Terrorism.

Specifically, these facilities were checked for the presence of access control (entry of unauthorized persons), physical security, fencing, lighting, fire and security alarm systems, notification systems, video surveillance, and other

technical security measures.

Based on the monitoring results and identified shortcomings in ensuring their protection against manifestations of extremism and terrorism, relevant recommendations have been made. Following the results of 2019, the KGB Department of the Republic of Belarus for the Vitebsk Region will inform the Vitebsk Regional Commission for Combating Extremism and Terrorism.

After all, the main thing in this work is to prevent negative phenomena, rather than bravely fighting their consequences later with great expense.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor of the Region
for Supervision of the Enforcement of Legislation
on State Security
V.N. Belous