Article 289 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus

Article 289, act of terrorism, punishes an explosion, arson or other act "creating a danger of death, injury or other grave consequences" committed to influence the authorities or intimidate the population: eight to fifteen years under Part 1, ten to twenty under Part 2, and up to life or death under Part 3. Belarus is the only European state that carries out executions, and the 2022 amendments extended the death penalty to attempted terrorism.

The documented cases fall into two groups. The first is the "rail war" of spring 2022, when railway workers and others disabled signalling equipment to slow Russian military transports toward Ukraine; sentences of twenty years and more followed, and the amendment allowing execution for attempts was adopted with these cases in view. The second is a set of cases built on alleged plans, with confessions broadcast on state television before trial. The article is also added to opposition figures' in absentia charge sheets.