Criminal Procedure Code at Belarus
Belarus's criminal justice system is governed by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Belarus, which outlines the procedures for the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of criminal cases. The Code has undergone several amendments to address evolving legal and societal needs.
Key Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code
1. Special (In Absentia) Proceedings
In July 2022, Belarus introduced provisions for special criminal proceedings against individuals who are outside the country and fail to appear before the authorities. This applies to serious offenses such as terrorism, genocide, mercenarism, treason, sabotage, the creation of extremist formations, participation in them, riots, and calls for sanctions. The law aims to ensure the inevitability of punishment and strengthen judicial protection. (Aleksandr Lukashenko signs amendments to Criminal Procedure Code into law | Official Internet Portal of the President of the Republic of Belarus, The President signed the Law "On Amending the Criminal Procedure Code of Belarus")
2. Posthumous Prosecution for Grave Crimes
In July 2023, an amendment was signed into law allowing for the prosecution of individuals who have committed imprescriptible crimes against humanity, such as genocide and war crimes, even after their death. Close family members can represent the deceased in court, and if guilt is proven, a guilty verdict is pronounced without assigning a penalty. This measure aims to restore historical justice and ensure accountability for severe crimes. (Belarus’ Criminal Procedure Code amended to make punishment for genocide inevitable | Official Internet Portal of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Belarus’ Criminal Procedure Code amended to make punishment for genocide inevitable | Belarus political events |Session in Belarus | Belarus legislation | Belarus elections)
3. Comprehensive Reform of Criminal Liability Codes
In February 2025, a law was signed to amend the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes comprehensively. The reform revises punishments for 97 categories of offenses, introduces alternative and more lenient punishments, and establishes that first-time non-serious offenders, women, single parents with children under 14, minors, and persons with disabilities of Group I shall not be deprived of liberty. The law also allows for more flexible sentencing in drug trafficking cases. (Lukashenko signs law on amendments to Codes on Criminal Liability | Belarus government official documents)
Accessing the Criminal Procedure Code
The full text of the Criminal Procedure Code, including its amendments, is available through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) database:
👉 Criminal Procedure Code 2000 (as amended 2012)
This resource provides access to the consolidated text of the Code, reflecting the legal framework governing criminal procedures in Belarus.
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