Putin Ally Gives Himself Lifetime Get Out of Jail Free Card

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, signed a law on Wednesday that grants him lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution.

The law applies to any former president of Belarus, as well as members of his or her family. Beyond that, the legislation also prevents opposition leaders who are living abroad from being candidates in future presidential elections.

Critics say the law is designed to keep Lukashenko in power by warding off the threat of opposition figures such as Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who left Belarus for Lithuania in 2020.

Lukashenko has enjoyed a close relationship with Putin for years, and he has been one of the biggest defenders of the Kremlin's current war in Ukraine. The Belarusian leader was credited with brokering negotiations between Putin and since-deceased Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin when the latter led an armed mutiny against Russia in June. In another sign of their strong ties, Putin deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus last summer.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the law signed by Lukashenko on Wednesday states that once a president leaves office, they "cannot be held accountable for actions committed in connection with exercising his presidential powers."

The law also gives former presidents and their families lifelong protection, along with medical care, life and health insurance. AP also said that former presidents will now also receive a lifelong seat in the upper house of parliament upon resigning.

Newsweek reached out to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via email on Thursday night for comment.

Many people believe Tikhanovskaya won the popular vote against Lukashenko during a 2020 presidential election that Western observers called rigged. Following the election, protests erupted throughout Belarus from citizens who believed results that showed Lukashenko as the victor to be fraudulent.

Following the tumultuous election, Tikhanovskaya was forced out of Belarus and into exile. In March 2023, she was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison after being convicted of treason and conspiracy to seize power, according to Reuters. She has argued that the charges stemmed from her efforts to try to bring about democratic change in Belarus.

Addressing the law passed on Wednesday, Tikhanovskaya told AP that the move shows Lukashenko's "fear of an inevitable future" after he steps down from power.

"Lukashenko, who ruined the fates of thousands of Belarusians, will be punished according to international law, and no immunity will protect him against this, it's only a matter of time," Tikhanovskaya said.