Belarus passes law to execute officials convicted of treason

By YURAS KARMANAU
Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — The authoritarian leader of Belarus has signed a bill introducing capital punishment for state officials and military personnel convicted of high treason. The amendments to the country’s criminal code endorsed by President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday envisage death sentences for actions by officials and servicemen who caused “irreparable damage” to Belarus’ national security through acts of treason. Belarus is the only country in Europe that hasn’t banned capital punishment. Executions are carried out with a shot to the back of the head. Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for nearly three decades, brutally suppressing dissent. He has relied on support by his main ally, Russia, which has used the territory of Belarus to invade Ukraine.