Since 2002, there is a High-Tech Crime Department within the Ministry of Interior of Belarus (Department “K”), whose competency is to detect and deal with crimes against information security, embezzlement by means of computers, including that conducted by means of stolen and forged bank cards or their details, and to counter the distribution and advertising of child pornography on the Internet. Besides preliminary investigations, the Department ”K” also assists other units across the country in matters of cybercrime and electronic evidence. There are currently 25 officers at the headquarters of Department “K”.
In five regional centres of Belarus, territorial units have been established to counter hi-tech crime. The average staffing of units is 7 persons. Department “K” also acts as national authority for the 24/7 point of contact for purposes of all relevant international networks working on cybercrime and electronic evidence.
When a more thorough examination of evidence or electronic media is required, an examination by a computer or other specialised experts can be organized. Such expert examination is the competency of qualified experts of the Forensic Centre of the Ministry of Interior of Belarus.