The Belarusian parliament's lower chamber, the House of Representatives, approved the second and final reading of a bill on February 21 that envisages the death penalty for high treason for civil servants and members of the military. The bill must still be approved by the parliament's upper chamber, the Council of the Republic, before authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka signs it into law. Belarus is the only country in Europe that practices capital punishment. Since Lukashenka came to power in 1994, more than 400 executions have been carried out in the country. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.
Belarusian Lawmakers Approve Bill On Death Penalty For High Treason
Belarus's House of Representatives approved the second and final reading of the bill on February 21. (file photo)