THE DISTRICT PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE REMINDS OF LIABILITY FOR VIOLATING THE PROCEDURE FOR HOLDING MASS EVENTS

Article 33 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus guarantees everyone freedom of thought, belief, and their free expression. The important thing here is not to cross the line of the law.

The Law "On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus" establishes a specific procedure for holding assemblies, rallies, street processions, demonstrations, and picketing.

Violations of the established procedure for holding mass events committed by a participant, as well as public calls for the organization or holding of mass events in violation of the established procedure for their organization or holding, committed by a participant of such events or any other person, entail administrative liability with a fine of up to 100 base units (currently 4000 rubles), or community service, or administrative arrest. Repeated commission of the same administrative offense within a year entails a fine of 20 to 200 base units (from 800 to 8000 rubles), or community service, or administrative arrest.

In particular, the organizer of such an event faces a fine of 20 to 150 base units, community service, or administrative arrest.

A number of actions related to repeated violations of the procedure for organizing or holding mass events will entail criminal liability, where the sanction of the article provides for the following types of punishment: arrest for up to 3 months, restriction of liberty for up to 3 years, deprivation of liberty for the same period.

For organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order or active participation in them, if they are associated with disobedience to the lawful requirements of representatives of authority or lead to disruptions in the operation of transport, enterprises, institutions, and organizations, punishment is threatened up to deprivation of liberty for a term of up to 3 years.