"Alcohol is often the cause of such crimes." The court heard cases involving intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm.

December 10, Grodno. Over the past four years, the Leninsky District Court of Grodno has heard 22 criminal cases related to the intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm, Kirill Efimovich, Judge of the Leninsky District Court of Grodno, told a BELTA correspondent.

Between 2022 and 2025 , the Leninsky District Court of Grodno heard 22 criminal cases related to the intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm. "The overwhelming majority of crimes were committed by middle-aged men. Most of those convicted of this category of crimes were sentenced to imprisonment," Kirill Efimovich said. " Alcohol is often a factor in these crimes. Seventeen individuals were intoxicated at the time of the crimes . Drinking alcohol together, which escalates into a domestic dispute, is a common scenario for prosecution in this category of cases."

The judge cited a case in which the defendant, while intoxicated , intentionally struck the victim twice in the right chest and once in the left shoulder during an argument stemming from personal animosity. He used a kitchen knife as a weapon, causing serious bodily harm to the victim, resulting in life-threatening injuries. "The defendant was found guilty of intentionally causing serious bodily harm, that is, life-threatening injuries. Under Part 1 of Article 147 of the Criminal Code, he was sentenced to three years and six months in a maximum-security penal colony," said Kirill Efimovich.

He added that there are also cases where more serious consequences have occurred for both the perpetrators and the victims. "In one of the cases examined, the defendant, while intoxicated, intentionally struck and kicked the victim's head, torso, and extremities with at least 12 punches and kicks during a sudden conflict with the intent of causing bodily harm. As a result, he caused the victim serious, life-threatening bodily harm, which resulted in his death through negligence , as confirmed by medical personnel arriving at the scene. The man was found guilty of intentionally causing serious bodily harm, that is, life-threatening injury, which resulted in the victim's death through negligence. Under Part 3 of Article 147 of the Criminal Code, he was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment in a maximum-security penal colony," the judge stated.

"Today, intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm is one of the most serious crimes under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus . Article 147 covers a wide range of acts that can lead to significant consequences for the victim's health. Liability under Part 1 of Article 147 of the Criminal Code applies for intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm, that is, life-threatening injury. The penalty provides for a sentence of restriction of liberty for a term of 3 to 5 years or imprisonment for a term of 3 to 8 years," noted Kirill Efimovich. "If more serious consequences occur, liability may apply under Parts 2 and 3 of Article 147 of the Criminal Code, the sanctions for which are uncontested and provide for a sentence of imprisonment for up to 15 years only."