Belarusian lawmakers gave their initial backing on Wednesday to a proposal to introduce the death penalty for treasonous officials and soldiers, and to make discrediting the army a criminal offence punishable by up to four years in jail.
The Russian ally currently has the death penalty for crimes such as murder or for people who commit, plan or intend to commit acts of terrorism. Executions are carried out with a single shot to the back of the head.
The lower house voted in the first reading to introduce the death penalty specifically for officials or soldiers found guilty of treason.
