The Belarusian Investigative Committee has warned the organizers and members of militia units in Belarus about criminal liability for hindering the activity of authority figures.
Mass protests against the results of the Aug. 9 presidential election, which was formally won by incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, have been ongoing in Belarus for more than a month. Workers at a number of enterprises have gone on strike and resorted to other forms of peaceful protest. A number of opposition Telegram channels have called for setting up militia units for monitoring the situation and protecting and warning protesters about law enforcement.
“Information about the formation of militia units has appeared on the Internet; their members are urged to resist people in authority and to use various methods, including violence, to hinder their lawful activity,” the Grodno branch of the Belarusian Investigative Committee said in a statement on Sept. 14.
“Please be advised that such actions entail criminal liability consistent with Article 364 of the Belarusian Criminal Code (violence or threat to use violence against a law enforcement officer),” the statement said.
Group actions aimed at organizing and participating in mass unrest, including armed resistance to representatives of the authorities, are punishable under Article 293 of the Criminal Code. “The organization and participation in mass unrest, training, and other preparations for such actions are penalized with up to 15 years in custody,” the statement said.
“You should remember that if you respond to calls for disturbing the public peace and join in provocations staged by particular individuals, you get involved in illegal actions entailing criminal penalties,” it said.
