Will mass fingerprinting be inscribed into law?

Amendments to the law “On state fingerprinting registration” have been received by the “chamber of representatives”.

BelaPAN agency has learnt about that from the chairman of the state security commission Viktar Huminski.

The draft law expands the list of citizens who are eligible to obligatory fingerprinting. “Life has showed us that it is necessary,” he underlined.

At the same time, the deputy refused to define concretely the law’s provisions. “We will inform about that later,” he said.

The Interior Ministry is carrying out mass fingerprinting of citizens after the blast on July. A home made bomb, stuffed with screws, exploded at the intersection of Masherau and Winners Avenues on July 4 (00.30 a.m.) during a concert dedicated to the official Independence Day. According to official data, about 500,000 people gathered for the concert. According to the Ministry of Health, 54 people sought for medical aid; 47 people, including 2 children, were taken to hospital.

Under the current law, citizens are fingerprinted voluntarily, with the exception of some cases. A former Interior Minister Uladzimir Navumau addressed the Security Council and the Council of Ministers with a proposal to make amendments to the law on state fingerprinting registration, which would allow fingerprinting of all persons liable for call-up. At present fingerprinting is obligatory for citizens called up for military service. The initiative of Navumau has been supported by Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich.