OREANDA-NEWS  Belarus will introduce the death penalty for high treason for officials and the military. The corresponding bill was adopted by deputies in the first reading, the press service of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic reported in Telegram.

"In order to have a deterrent effect on destructive elements, as well as to demonstrate a resolute fight against treason to the state, the draft Law proposes amendments to the sanction of part 2 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code, providing for the possibility of applying an exceptional measure of punishment in the form of the death penalty for treason committed by an official holding a public position or a person to whom the status applies a serviceman," the message says.

It is noted that the purpose of the preparation of the bill is to take measures to prevent extremist crimes.

Belarus remains the only country in Europe where the death penalty is still applied. The decision to leave capital punishment in the legislation was supported by the residents of the country in a referendum in 1996. The death penalty in the republic is sentenced for particularly serious crimes.

In May, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed amendments that introduce the death penalty for attempted terrorist attack.