Over 80 former Belarusian defense, security, law enforcement officials stripped of rank

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed a decree to strip of rank over 80 former officers of various defense, security, and law enforcement agencies on 4 May, BelTA has learned. In line with the legislation Belarusian defense, security, and law enforcement officers, including retired and reserve ones, can be stripped of military ranks (special ranks) by the head of state. As the social and political situation in the country deteriorated, certain military personnel and officers of law enforcement and security agencies tried to destabilize the situation and inflate protest moods in the society.