The deputy chairman of the Supreme Court of Belarus, the chairman of the judicial panel on criminal cases Siarhei Kondratiev told STV how the law on absentee trials will work.

The new law applies to adult citizens of Belarus who have left the country and against whom criminal cases have been opened for actions "mainly during the protest events of 2020".

The prosecuting authorities will inform such people about the initiated process and invite them to return home.

At a trial in absentia, such a defendant must have a lawyer.

They also promise to inform the convicted person what the sentence will be.

He will have the right to steal the court's decision.

One of the purposes of absentee trials is to "compensate for harm" that a person allegedly caused to the state.

Therefore, during absentee trials, they plan to make property seizures, including confiscation of property.

If the person accepts the invitation and returns to Belarus, the process will proceed in the usual face-to-face format.

On July 21, Lukashenka signed the law "On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Belarus", according to which the institution of "special proceedings" - the so-called absentee courts - is introduced.

Criminal cases can be considered even if the accused is abroad.

They will be able to judge in absentia on 48 articles (crimes against the peace and security of humanity, against the state, a number of other crimes, the commission of which entails a threat to national security).