Interior ministry drafts bill to strip opposition activists of citizenship

September 6, BPN. The Belarusian interior ministry has drafted legislation that would allow courts to strip Belarusians of the citizenship, Łukašenka’s press office reported, citing Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakoŭ.

The legislation targets those convicted of extremism or causing serious harm to the interests of Belarus.

The interior minister described the amendments as a tool to “ensure internal security of the state and stability of the social and political system.”

According to the interior ministry, a final decision in such cases would be made by the head of state, while individuals who lose their citizenship might be banned from traveling to Belarus for up to 30 years. Kubrakoŭ expects the proposed amendments to have a preventive effect.