{"id":105352,"date":"2024-09-17T17:48:34","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T14:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/105352\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"lower-house-gives-first-reading-to-bill-mitigating-punishment-for-drug-related-offences","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/105352\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower house gives first reading to bill mitigating punishment for drug-related offences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

September 17, Pozirk<\/em>. The lower house has given first reading to dozens of amendments, including the proposal to expand Belarus\u2019 jurisdiction for political crimes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If adopted, the Belarusian law enforcement agencies will prosecute people for \u201cterrorism-related\u201d crimes, discrediting Belarus, defaming the head of state and desecrating state symbols, even if they are committed abroad, according to the House of Representatives press office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last four years, the Belarusian government has branded its opponents as extremists and terrorists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In separate amendments, the bill also proposes more lenient punishment such as arrest of up to three months for the purchase or possession of drugs (Part 1 Article 328 of the Criminal Code) and restricted freedom for drug sale (Part 2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, Part 1 provides for restricted freedom of up to five years or imprisonment of two\u2013five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 2 carries restricted freedom of five\u2013eight years, with or without a fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If passed, the amendments would reduce the minimum prison sentence for organized drug trafficking from 10 to eight years (Part 4 Article 328).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, the bill would update sentences for 97 types of crimes. It suggests alternative, more lenient punishment for 65 offenses, and adjusted or additional punishment (fine, deprivation of rights) for 32.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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