Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday approved a law amendment that will punish those attempting to commit acts of terror with the death sentence.

The law could also be applied to those attempting to use biological or chemical weapons or nuclear or radioactive materials for an international terror act.

Those attempting to kill prominent personalities to influence decision making and intimidate the public will also be tried under the same law.

The amendment was earlier approved by the lower and upper houses of parliament, and it will go into effect 10 days after it is published in the official gazette.