Law enforcement agencies pay increased attention to maintaining public order during the electoral campaign
On January 26, 2025, elections for the President of the Republic of Belarus will take place. Law enforcement agencies are paying increased attention to issues of maintaining public order during the conduct of campaign mass events. The main efforts are focused on ensuring public order and the safety of citizens during the entire electoral campaign.
The procedure for organizing or conducting mass events is regulated by the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Mass Events," strict compliance with which ensures legality, public order, and safety at mass events.
It is important to remember that during any mass event, the lawful demands of police officers and other representatives of the authorities must be strictly followed. In accordance with Article 24.3 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses, disobedience to a lawful order or demand of an official in the performance of his official duties entails a fine of up to one hundred basic units, or community service, or administrative arrest.
Violating the rules for organizing and conducting mass events entails administrative or criminal liability. Both organizers and participants of illegal mass events are held accountable.
As a rule, criminal and administrative liability arises from the age of 16; however, for committing a number of offenses and crimes, liability is provided from the age of 14. If a minor has not reached the specified age by the day of committing the unlawful act, their legal representatives will be held responsible for their actions. Involvement of a minor in participating in illegal mass events also entails administrative liability in the form of a fine from five to thirty basic units.
Intentional blocking of transport communications by creating obstacles, setting up posts, or in any other way entails a fine of six to fifty basic units according to Article 18.1 of the Code on Administrative Offenses.
Blocking streets, picketing institutions that disrupt the operation of transport and organizations, or when such actions are carried out with blatant disobedience to the lawful demands of representatives of the authorities to cease them, are actions that grossly violate public order. Organizing them or actively participating in them entails liability under Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, which provides for punishment of up to four years of imprisonment.
According to Article 310 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, intentional blocking of transport communications that causes significant damage is punishable by up to three years of imprisonment.
If illegal mass events are accompanied by violence against individuals, arson, destruction of property, or armed resistance to representatives of the authorities, such actions are classified as mass riots. Organizing them entails punishment of up to fifteen years of imprisonment, while participation in them entails up to eight years of imprisonment according to the sanctions of Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Remember, a person who causes material damage to citizens and organizations during mass events is obliged to compensate it in full.
N. DENISYUK,
Head of the Information and Public Relations Department
Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Internal Affairs Department.