Łukašenka approves foreign travel restrictions for Belarusians

May 16, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka has signed into law amendments restricting foreign travel, says a document published on the National Legal Internet Portal.

The amendments authorize the Committee for State Security (KGB) to prohibit Belarusians, including senior officials, heads of local authorities, presidential security service, from traveling abroad on national security grounds.

Authorities may also slap foreign travel bans on people charged with minor offenses or those involved in civil or economic proceedings, except for travel for treatment or family emergency purposes or legal proceedings abroad.

A new clause to the law on the legal status of foreign nationals and stateless persons requires foreigners to respect Belarusian state symbols and national traditions.

Belarusians were admitted to foreign educational institutions under 18 and are full-time students can be granted deferment from military service or service in reserve only once, the law says.

The amendments passed both houses of the Belarusian National Assembly in mid-April.