Lithuania asks International Criminal Court to investigate Belarus

Lithuania has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate the leadership of Belarus for crimes against humanity, according to an application published by the court.

The application claims Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's autocratic leadership has ordered violent deportations and persecutions.

International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan said on Monday the application would be examined.

Belarus is not a member of the court, but Lithuania is party to the treaty and claims that some of the alleged crimes were committed on its territory, meaning the prosecutor would be authorized to investigate.

The application refers to hundreds of thousands of Belarusians who were forcibly displaced and are now living in Lithuania or elsewhere in the EU. The alleged crimes began in April 2020 and continue to this day, Lithuania stated.

Lukashenko is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is already under investigation by the chief prosecutor. He has issued arrest warrants for Putin, his chief of staff, the former defence minister and the children's rights commissioner.