'Surprise' For Belarusian 'Evaders'

• 19.10.2023, 13:31

A number of changes will be introduced.

Belarus will increase the penalties for evading military recruitment and for failing to appear at a military recruitment centre. The sentences will be longer and the fines will be several times higher. This is stated in the draft law "On Amendments to the Laws on National Security", published on the National Legal Internet Portal.

The document provides for amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences in articles relating to military service.

For example, the liability for evading military service is provided for in Part 1 of Article 435 of the Criminal Code. It now carries a penalty of up to two years' restriction or imprisonment or a fine, arrest or community service.

If the amendments are adopted, it will be possible to receive not two but three years' imprisonment or arrest for evading the army.

The CAO introduces new fines for a number of articles related to conscription and military registration:

Art. 26.1 "Failure to report for military service" - the fine will range from 10 to 30 basic units (from 370 to 1110 rubles, now up to 5 basic units - i.e. 185 rubles);

Art. 26.2 "Failure to inform the citizen about the summons to the military commissariat, state security body" (it is an offence by an official) - the fine will be up to 20 basic units (740 BGN, now up to 3 basic units - i.e. 111 BGN), in case of repeated offence - from 20 to 30 basic units (now from 4 to 6);

Art. 26.3 "Violation of military service obligation;

Art. 26.3 "Violation of military registration duties" - for citizens the fine will be up to 25 basic units (925 rubles, currently up to 3 basic units - i.e. 111 rubles), and for officials - up to 30 basic units (currently from 4 to 5 basic units).