According to Belarus 1 TV, citing the Deputy Prosecutor General, Alexei Stuk, nearly all petitions received by the commission for returning to Belarus failed to satisfy the stated rules and criteria. The broadcaster reported that while the commission did receive a substantial volume of applications, a large share did not align with the requirements laid out in the decree. The submissions came from people both abroad and within the Republic of Belarus, underscoring a broad interest in returning but also a misalignment with the established conditions.
Stuk noted that applicants must provide valid identification documents and should indicate the date of their last departure from Belarus. This information helps clarify why the applicant believes they may face prosecution for minor offenses and why the commission should consider a return. The explanation is intended to demonstrate the individual’s eligibility under the decree and to support the decision-making process.
The deputy prosecutor general emphasized that tolerance cannot be expected exclusively from those who committed serious or especially grave offenses during the mass protests that occurred in August and September 2020, and in the period that followed. He stressed that the rules apply evenly and that the commission must evaluate each case within the legal framework established by the decree.
Former President Alexander Lukashenko has urged not to compel those who left the country to return to Belarus, as stated by the country’s attorney general Andrey Shved. This position aligns with the broader policy framework that seeks to balance humanitarian considerations with the need to maintain public order and legal compliance.
In a bid to regulate the process more clearly, Lukashenko signed a decree creating a commission dedicated to working with individuals who wish to return to Belarus. The president highlighted that the composition of the commission and the accompanying procedures were designed with careful attention to organizational structure and the information necessary for its operation, ensuring that the program can function transparently and effectively for applicants and authorities alike.