Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka has signed a law that will allow convicted criminals and those serving prison sentences to serve in the army, Radio Svaboda reported.
The radio station reported the news on Saturday; most of the law's provisions go into effect on Sunday.
The new law makes changes to the existing provisions on military service and mobilization. The penalty for evading military service will now be two to three imprisonment.
People under investigation, those with prior criminal records, and prisoners incarcerated in a penal colony will be allowed to enlist for contracted military service.
The new law makes changes to the existing provisions on military service and mobilization. The penalty for evading military service will now be two to three imprisonment.
People under investigation, those with prior criminal records, and prisoners incarcerated in a penal colony will be allowed to enlist for contracted military service.
According to the law, Lukashenka can undertake the decision if he deems it is needed “to ensure the interests of defense and national security.”
Independent media in recent days have highlighted the Belarusian president’s ambiguous statements on the war. On April 2 this year, he said his country was “preparing for war,” but also made assurances that his country did not want to fight.
Prison recruitment also appeared in Russia during the invasion of Ukraine. First, convicts were persuaded to join the mercenary Wagner Group.
Later, the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) also began doing the same. According to activist Olga Romanova, the head of the civil rights organization Russia Behind Bars, the Wagner Group and the MoD recruited more than 150,000 people in prisons in total.
Independent media in recent days have highlighted the Belarusian president’s ambiguous statements on the war. On April 2 this year, he said his country was “preparing for war,” but also made assurances that his country did not want to fight.
Prison recruitment also appeared in Russia during the invasion of Ukraine. First, convicts were persuaded to join the mercenary Wagner Group.
Later, the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) also began doing the same. According to activist Olga Romanova, the head of the civil rights organization Russia Behind Bars, the Wagner Group and the MoD recruited more than 150,000 people in prisons in total.
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