Gambling addiction led to the commission of a corruption offense

Embezzlement through abuse of official powers (Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus) is one of the most common types of corruption offenses.

In 2023, 36 offenses provided for by Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus were registered in the Vitebsk region, which is almost 40% of the total number of registered corruption offenses. In the Rossony district in 2023, one such offense was registered.

Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus establishes criminal liability for the misappropriation of property or acquisition of property rights, committed by an official using their official powers, and as punishment provides, among other things, imprisonment for up to four years, and in case of commission of such a crime by an organized group or on a particularly large scale, imprisonment for a term of five to twelve years with a fine and with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities.

The Prosecutor's Office of the Rossony District supported the state prosecution in a criminal case of a corruption offense, which consisted in the embezzlement of property by an official through abuse of their official powers (Part 1 of Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus).

It was established that during the second half of 2023, a 25-year-old forester, using his official powers, unlawfully appropriated gasoline and diesel fuel belonging to the organization, with a total value of more than 1,300 rubles. The man spent the money received from the sale of the stolen fuel on gambling.

In the court hearing, the accused fully admitted his guilt in the imputed crime and sincerely repented of his actions. Taking into account the nature and severity of the committed crime, the mercenary motives of the act, the amount of damage caused by him, the identity of the accused, mitigating and the absence of aggravating circumstances, the state prosecutor oriented the court towards convicting the accused with the imposition of a penalty in the form of restriction of liberty without sending to an open-type correctional institution for a term of 1 year and 6 months with a fine in the amount of 100 base units,

The court ruling has entered into legal force.

Prosecutor of Rosson District

Justice Advisor