In Belarus, summonses will be sent via SMS message

Alexander Lukashenko signed the law, according to which subpoenas will be distributed through SMS-messages in the country. This is reported by the National Legal Internet Portal of Belarus.

Citizens can be informed about the need to appear in the military commissariat (separate subdivision) at the place of residence, the Department of the State Security Committee in the region by SMS-messages," reads the document.

At the same time, in case of mobilisation, attendance by SMS will be mandatory.

In case of conscription on mobilisation, citizens of Belarus are also obliged to appear at recruitment events, having been notified by SMS-messages," reads the law.

It should be noted that in Belarus, mobile phone numbers can be obtained only with a passport. Telecom operators will have to provide the numbers of the conscripts at the request of the military commission within a week. Conscripts themselves will have to notify the military commissions about the change of phone numbers.

Young people in the country will be registered from the age of 16 instead of 17. The age limit, up to which women (except for warrant officers, midshipmen or officers) can be enlisted in the reserve, is also being raised: from 45 to 48 years old.

Belarusians face responsibility for failure to appear at the military enlistment office after receiving an SMS. It can be an "administrative offence" under 26.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences - a fine of up to five basic units. Criminal liability under Articles 434 and 435 of the Criminal Code is also possible: the maximum term of imprisonment is seven years.