Innovation in criminal law

September 12, 2024

Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 349-Z of January 8, 2024 "On Amendments to Codes on Criminal Liability" introduced changes to the criminal and criminal procedure legislation.

A novelty of this law is the new wording of Article 107 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.

Thus, in accordance with Part 1 of Article 107 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, if a crime is committed by persons suffering from chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, or substance abuse, the court, upon medical evidence, may apply compulsory treatment to them in addition to punishment for the committed crime.

Unlike the previous version of this article, Part 2 stipulates that if crimes provided for by Articles 166-170 and 343-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus are committed by persons suffering from pedophilia after reaching the age of eighteen, against a minor, the court, in addition to punishment for the committed crime, may apply compulsory treatment to them.

It should be noted that the treatment for chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse, and pedophilia of persons sentenced to arrest, imprisonment, or life imprisonment is carried out at the place of serving the sentence. For persons requiring continued treatment after serving their sentence in the form of arrest or imprisonment, as well as for persons sentenced to other types of punishment or other criminal liability measures, treatment for chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse, and pedophilia is carried out at their place of residence through compulsory outpatient observation and treatment.

         

Deputy Prosecutor

of Gluboksky District                                                                          A.S. Bizunov