In the Vitebsk region, over 2.8 thousand convicts were released under the amnesty

Over 2.8 thousand convicts in the Vitebsk region have been released under an amnesty timed to the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders.

Over 2.8 thousand convicts in the Vitebsk region have been released under an amnesty timed to the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders.

In accordance with the relevant Law of the Republic of Belarus of July 19, 2019, the responsible agencies were to prepare to provide assistance to the released persons and their social adaptation.

— For nine months, the authorized structures, together with local executive and administrative bodies, and labour, employment and social protection units, carried out active work to ensure the implementation of this regulatory act, — said Vasily Pashkovsky, Head of the Department of the Regional Prosecutor's Office. — The decision on the application or non-application of the amnesty was made for each person individually, based on the results of the study of materials and clarification of relevant circumstances, proceeding from the established criteria. Minors; pregnant women; women and single men with minor children; pensioners and disabled persons of group I or II; citizens affected by the Chernobyl disaster were eligible for release from punishment and other criminal liability measures, in particular.

Obstacles to early release included certain categories of crimes (e.g., murder), including repeated offences after the amnesty had been applied previously, violation of the established procedure for serving sentences, non-reimbursement of damages (losses) caused, arrears in alimony or expenses for the maintenance of children under state care, and non-payment of income obtained by dishonest means.

— Thanks to the adoption of this law, convicts reimbursed the damages they caused and paid over 1.4 million rubles of criminally obtained income, — reported Vasily Pashkovsky.

More than 350 people arrived in the Vitebsk region from the penal system institutions for their further residence. They were provided with the necessary assistance in resolving issues of domestic and employment arrangements.