The Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Amnesty in connection with the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945" has entered into force

On May 22, 2020, the Law of the Republic of Belarus of May 18, 2020 No. 17-Z "On Amnesty in Connection with the 75th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945" (hereinafter referred to as the Law) came into force, which is to be executed within six months.

This Law establishes the criteria for identifying persons subject to amnesty and the conditions for its application.

The Law provides for the exemption under certain conditions from punishment and other measures of criminal liability, in particular, minors, pregnant women, women and single men with children under eighteen years of age, persons who have reached the generally established retirement age, persons with disabilities of group I and II, persons suffering from active forms of tuberculosis and included in certain groups of dispensary registration, as well as persons suffering from oncological diseases of certain clinical groups, HIV-infected persons with certain stages of the disease, combat veterans in the territory of other states, citizens who suffered from the Chernobyl NPP disaster, other radiation accidents.

For a number of convicted persons, the issue of partial exemption from punishment will be considered.

At the same time, the amnesty does not apply to persons who have committed murder, have been brought to criminal responsibility for driving a vehicle while intoxicated, and other crimes, the list of which is set out in the Law.

Amnesty does not apply to persons who have committed crimes and have been found obliged to compensate for the costs incurred by the state for the maintenance of children under state care, and have not compensated for these costs.

Persons who have been subject to amnesty during 2015-2020 and have re-offended intentionally during the period of an unexpunged or unquashed conviction, who have not fully compensated for the harm (damage) caused by the crimes, have not paid the income received from

entrepreneurial activity carried out without a special permit (license), unjustified acquired profit, other income obtained by criminal means, злостно violating the established order during the serving of punishment or other criminal liability measures, having committed a particularly dangerous recidivism of crimes, sentenced to life imprisonment.

The execution of the Law is entrusted to bodies and institutions that execute punishments, internal affairs bodies, criminal prosecution bodies, and courts.

The decision on the application or non-application of amnesty is made with respect to each person individually.

In accordance with the provisions of the Law, local executive and administrative bodies ensure the organization of accounting for persons released from punishment under amnesty, and provide them with assistance in employment and social reintegration.

Senior Prosecutor of the Department
of the Vitebsk Regional Prosecutor's Office
for Supervision of Compliance
with Legislation by Bodies
of the Criminal Executive System
and Enforcement
Sergey Sturin