{"id":100203,"date":"2024-08-12T17:36:09","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T14:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/100203\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"belarus-former-presidents-to-get-extra-protection-from-violence-defamation-insult","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/100203\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka proposes extra protection for former presidents from violence, defamation, insult"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

August 12, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka has proposed amendments that would introduce punishment for “violence or threat of violence against the president” and “the president who has ceased to exercise their powers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new article, 366-1, would carry punishment for violence against family members of the president and former presidents, according the bill published on the National Legal Internet Portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Punishment will range from three to five years of restricted freedom and three to eight years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill proposes adding former presidents to articles against defamation and insults directed at the head of state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian Criminal Code carries more severe punishment for defaming or insulting the head of state and officials than for defaming or insulting ordinary citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The maximum sentence for defaming ordinary citizens is three years in prison, whereas for defaming the head of state, five years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human rights groups have criticized the government for abusing the defamation and insult provisions to punish Belarusians for their political views and opinions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"