Responsibility for the organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, as well as participation in them

The procedure for holding mass events is regulated by the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus" (hereinafter referred to as the Law).

          According to Article 15 of this Law, persons who have violated the procedure for organizing and (or) holding mass events established by this Law shall be liable in accordance with the legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus.

          The current legislation provides for both administrative and criminal liability for violation of the established procedure for holding mass events, as well as for organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order, and for participating in them.

Thus, violation of the established procedure for holding a meeting, rally, street procession, demonstration, picket, or other mass event, committed by a participant of such events, as well as public calls for the organization or holding of a meeting, rally, street procession, demonstration, picket, or other mass event in violation of the established procedure for their organization or holding, committed by a participant of such events or any other person, entails administrative liability under Article 24.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.

In accordance with Article 342² of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, violation of the established procedure for organizing or holding a meeting, rally, street procession, demonstration, picket, or other mass event, including public calls for the organization or holding of a meeting, rally, street procession, demonstration, picket, or other mass event in violation of the established procedure for their organization or holding (violation of the procedure for organizing or holding mass events), if this act is committed repeatedly, entails criminal liability and is punishable by arrest, or restriction of liberty for up to three years, or imprisonment for the same term.

Public calls for the organization or holding of assemblies, rallies, street processions, demonstrations, or picketing in