Duty to Defend the Homeland

Article 57 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus states: the defense of the Republic of Belarus is the duty and sacred obligation of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus.

The procedure for military service, the grounds and conditions for exemption from military service or its replacement with alternative service are determined by law.

According to Article 4 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Military Duty and Military Service", military duty is performed by male citizens fit for its performance by health and physical development, regardless of origin, social and property status, racial and national identity, education, language, attitude to religion, type and nature of occupation, political and other beliefs.

Criminal liability under Article 435 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus is provided for evading conscription activities.

In 2016, 2 persons were brought to criminal responsibility under the specified article, and in the elapsed period of 2017, 1 person of conscription age was brought to responsibility.

On March 28, 2017, the verdict of the Beshenkovichi District Court against Beresten A.A., a resident of Beshenkovichi, came into legal force. Being a conscript of the military commissariat of Beshenkovichi and Shumilino districts of Vitebsk region, he evaded conscription activities. It was established in the court session that Beresten A.A. did not appear on August 19, 2016, as per the summons handed to him against signature, at the district military enlistment office for a medical examination, and also did not appear until November 30, 2016, before the completion of conscription for military service, established by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 27 of July 18, 2016, "On the discharge of military personnel of urgent military service and reservists into the reserve and the conscription of citizens for urgent military service, reserve service in August-November 2016," thereby evading conscription activities and hindering the decision-making by the conscription commission of the military commissariat regarding his fulfillment of military duty. In the court session, Beresten A.A. admitted guilt in committing the crime and repented of his actions, which was taken into account by the court as mitigating circumstances. The court found Beresten A.A. guilty of evading conscription activities and, on the basis of Part 1 of Article 435 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, sentenced him to a fine of 150 basic units, which amounted to 3,450 rubles on the date of the verdict. For educational purposes, an on-site court session was held, to which persons of conscription age were invited by the military commissariat.

Deputy Prosecutor
of Beshenkovichi District
Junior Counselor of Justice Leshenok E.I.