EVASION OF CONSCRIPTION IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW

Article 57 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus states that the defense of the Republic of Belarus is the duty and sacred obligation of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus. The procedure for military service, the grounds and conditions for exemption from military service or its replacement with an alternative are determined by law.

Avoidance of military service is punishable by law.

The Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus provides for liability for avoidance of conscription activities under Article 435. According to the sanctions of the first part of this article, a defaulter may face penalties in the form of a fine, arrest, restriction of freedom, as well as imprisonment for up to two years. The second part of Article 435 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (avoidance of conscription activities committed by intentionally causing bodily harm to oneself, simulating illness, or falsifying documents or other deception) provides for penalties in the form of restriction of freedom or imprisonment for up to five years.

Crimes provided for in Article 435 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus are frequently committed by residents of the Braslav district (under the specified article, individuals are convicted by the district court almost annually: 2018 – 2 individuals, 2019 – 1 individual).

Deputy Prosecutor of the District                    S.P. Harbus