MINSK, 28 January (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko backs the proposals of the Interior Ministry to liberalize criminal penalties for a number of offences. The head of state made the statement at the session of the board of the Interior Ministry to discuss the performance of law enforcement bodies in 2015, BelTA has learned.
“I have discussed this issue with the minister. I absolutely support him,” the President said. “We bring to justice people who do not have a driving license on them. But you have computers where you can see if they have a driving license or not,” he added.
“This is one type of offences. But there are other offences which can be either abolished or reclassified. Be very careful here,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed.
The President was told that stepping up efforts to prevent hooliganism was the main reason for the crime rate growth. Certain agencies qualify the damage of improperly parked cars and other property as criminal offences. “It is good that you have harmonized general approaches to the qualification of such actions, developed unified methods in this area at the level of all law enforcement bodies. Now you suggest reducing the crime rate by decriminalizing certain offences,” the head of state said.
Alexander Lukashenko urged those present at the meeting to analyze all innovations and inform him about their conclusions. “We cannot ease pressure on criminals because it can lead to the crime rate growth,” he said.
