Responsibility for a false call

June 29, 2021

In accordance with Part 1 of Article 340 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter referred to as the CC), for a knowingly false report of an impending explosion, arson, or other actions that create danger to human life and health, or cause damage on a large scale, or lead to other grave consequences, punishment is provided in the form of a fine, or arrest, or restriction of liberty for up to three years, or deprivation of liberty for up to five years.

For the same actions, committed repeatedly, or by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, or causing damage on a large scale (250 or more times the size of the basic unit), or leading to other grave consequences (for example, disruption of the normal operation of economic entities, railway stations, airports, public transport, disruption of mass events, etc.), punishment is provided in the form of restriction of liberty for up to five years or deprivation of liberty for a term of three to seven years.

Liability for a knowingly false report of danger arises from the age of 14.

The public danger of such acts lies in the fact that knowingly unreliable information about danger disorganizes the normal operation of transport, enterprises, state bodies and institutions, and organizations. In turn, this causes significant economic damage to both enterprises, institutions, and organizations, and citizens. Moreover, false information about a possible explosion or arson can sow panic among the population and cause inconvenience in their daily lives.

Any report of danger is taken seriously and is subject to thorough verification.

In conclusion, a recent example from practice.

In June of the current year, the Prosecutor's Office of the Glubokoe District supported the state prosecution against resident B. of the Miory District for making a knowingly false report of an impending explosion that posed a danger to life and health, i.e., a crime provided for by Part 1 of Article 340 of the Criminal Code.

During the court investigation, it was established that on March 9, 2021, at approximately 8:49 PM, while intoxicated and at his place of residence, citizen B. intentionally, with the aim of knowingly falsely reporting a danger to life and health, made a call from his mobile phone to the special line "102" of the duty operational service of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Miory District Executive Committee, providing false information about an impending explosion in the aforementioned building, which led to the disorganization of the daily work of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Miory District Executive Committee and the adoption of urgent measures to verify the received information about the danger to life and health of people.

Taking into account the position of the state prosecutor regarding citizen B., the court rendered a guilty verdict, and he was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment.

The verdict has not yet entered into legal force.

Therefore, it is worth thinking carefully before an impulsive phone call becomes fatal for you.

Assistant Prosecutor

of Glubokoe District A.N. Kurilenok