Belarus Implements Death Penalty For Attempted Terrorism. Multiple Opposition Activists Are Facing Charges.

Belorussia has implemented death penalty for an attempt to commit a terrorist attack. AFP Agency has cited Russian press agencies who have informed about this. They state that several opposition activists are facing such charges. 

Belorussia, a close ally to Russia, is the only country in Europe who still carries out executions despite appeals to implement moratorium. Nevertheless, the country has broadened the scope of death penalty by adding "an attempt to commit a terrorist attack" to the list. 

The law comes into force ten days after its public announcement. Belarusian court in the city Grodno started proceedings on Wednesday behind close doors, discussing 12 cases of activists accused of "preparation of terrorist attacks", informed Belarusian organization for human rights protection - Vjasna.

Among those sentenced is also a long-standing activist Nikolaj Avtuchovic who has already spent seven years behind bars. This 59-year-old man is facing a whole array of charges including treason. 

Activists are accused of setting fire to a house an a car of a police officer in October 2020 and from setting another police car on fire in 2020. These acts occurred after huge protests which started in Belarus after the sketchy presidential re-election of authoritarian Lukashenko. Lukashenko, with the help of the army and Putin, handled the extensive protests, while instigating mass arrests.

Bielarusian activists believe that the true winner of the presidential election in August 2020 is Sviatlana Cichanovska who is now the leader of Belarusian opposition from exile in Lithuania. Last year in March, Belarusian prosecutors charged Cichanovska with "preparation of terrorist attacks as an organized crime group."