Criminal Liability Introduced For Belarusians Having Access To State Secrets When Travelling Abroad

The changes will come into force in 10 days.

The authorities have made changes to the Criminal Code of Belarus. They concern those who have access to state secrets. This follows from the law, published on the National Legal Internet Portal, which amends the Criminal Code.

In particular, amendments are made to Part 2 of Article 375-2 (Violation of requirements for protecting state secrets) of the Criminal Code of Belarus. Previously, it referred to the deliberate illegal transfer of a "carrier of state secrets" outside Belarus.

Apparently, this wording could be interpreted broadly - for example, it could refer to an electronic medium - a flash drive or disc, which is probably why the authorities decided to clarify it.

Now part 2 of Article 375-2 reads as follows: "Illegal departure from the Republic of Belarus of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus, aware of state secrets, who is aware of temporary restriction of his right to leave the Republic of Belarus in accordance with legislative acts, <...> shall be punished by a fine, or arrest, or restriction of freedom for up to three years, or imprisonment for the same term".

In the event that the departure of a person with access to state secrets leads to grave consequences, it is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.

These changes will come into force in 10 days.

We remind you that earlier budgetary employees and officials were banned from travelling abroad without the permission of the management.

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