Belarus Toughens Legal Restrictions with New Penalties
Amended Legislation on Countering Extremism Enacted in Belarus
In a move to strengthen its enforcement, Belarus has signed a law to revise its criminal code, introducing new articles and toughening penalties. The bill was published this week on the National Legal Internet Portal, as reported by "RIA Novosti".
The new law will take effect in three months.
The revised criminal code includes provisions from several thematic laws already approved, such as those concerning extremism, Nazi rehabilitation, and mass events organization.
Meanwhile, some 10 articles and 24 offenses are being removed from the code due to their low relevance. Over 70 criminal offenses have had their penalties revised.
To combat extremism more effectively, the law extends criminal responsibility beyond the creation and leadership of extremist groups. New offenses include participating in extremist activities, inciting extremist acts, preparing and training for them, and financing them. Penalties range up to eight years in prison.
The new law also introduces criminal responsibility for repeatedly violating the rules of organizing or conducting mass events, with a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
Further, the document establishes liability for internet resource owners who disseminate prohibited information, illegally collect and distribute personal data, and fail to meet protection requirements. Disclosing personal or official information for public service purposes could mean up to five years in prison.
It's worth noting that illegally obtaining and disseminating information constituting state secrets is now a punishable offense. Repeating propaganda or public display of Nazi symbols or memorabilia may incur penalties of up to four years in prison.
In addition, the law intensifies punishments for killing a police officer, resisting those maintaining public order, and using or threatening violence against them. Publicly insulting a representative of authority or their relatives in connection with the performance of their duties will also result in stiffer penalties.
The law improves the sentencing process, introduces a more differentiated approach to fines, and provides the possibility of limited freedom as an alternative to imprisonment for certain criminal offenses. The judicial system will also see the use of mediation mechanisms and increased application of information technology in criminal proceedings.
Lastly, amendments have been made to the criminal executive code, including clarifying the order of serving sentences for certain categories of convicts, receiving parcels and money transfers in correctional institutions, and the procedure for making telephone calls, including video calls.
Background:
Belarus previously expanded definitions of extremism to encompass research institutes and online resources. The updated extremist formations list now includes over 260 entities, with 12 added in just 2025. More than 250 individuals have been convicted under related charges since 2021.
The government also employs mass event restrictions to deter dissent. Common practices include security service visits to activists' relatives and late-night interrogations. Over 5,000 individuals are on extremist activity lists, leading to employment bans. The "special procedure" allows trials in absentia for 43 criminal code articles, including extremism charges, which have been applied to exiled activists and journalists.
Recent concerns from the UN highlight the potential misuse of counterterrorism frameworks for political persecution. The amended laws continue this trend, with amendments to existing laws rather than standalone bills enabling harsher penalties for perceived dissent.
- On Tuesday, Lukashenko's administration announced the signing of a new legislation to revise Belarus' criminal code, calling for stricter policy-and-legislation and enforcement in dealing with extremism, mass events organization, and other specified areas.
- The newly revised criminal code, to be implemented in three months, imposes stiffer sanctions for participating in and financing extremist activities, with penalties reaching up to eight years in prison.
- The general-news outlet, RIA Novosti, reported that the law also requires internet resource owners to meet protection requirements and face penalties for illegally collecting and distributing personal data or disseminating prohibited information.
- The ongoing political situation in Belarus has been marked by increased restrictions, including expanding definitions of extremism, the use of mass event restrictions to deter dissent, and the application of harsher punishments to perceived dissenters, as indicated by the latest round of requirements and sanctions.
