Belarusian MPs approve draft law on amnesty for the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War

The Lower House of the Parliament of Belarus, on behalf of President Alexander Lukashenko, approved a bill on amnesty in connection with the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWII). About 8 thousand people fall under it. This was reported by the BelTA news agency on April 30.

Exemption from criminal liability will affect persons suffering from certain diseases. It is also proposed to replace imprisonment with a milder punishment (restriction of liberty without referral to a correctional institution) for previously convicted citizens over the age of 70, sentenced to a term of up to six years inclusive.

For those convicted of reckless crimes resulting in death, a partial reduction of one year is provided instead of a full amnesty.

The key conditions for applying the amnesty will be full compensation for the damage caused and a positive characterization of the convicted person while serving his sentence.

Next, the bill must be approved by the upper house of parliament and signed by the President.

In July last year, Lukashenko signed the law "On amnesty in connection with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders." Minors, pregnant women, women and men with children under the age of 18 were subject to amnesty, with the exception of those who committed an intentional crime against a minor. Also, pensioners, people with disabilities of groups I and II, people with open tuberculosis and cancer, citizens affected by the Chernobyl disaster, people who were injured or sick while performing duties during military service.