ICC Prosecutor's Office opens probe into Lukashenko regime

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has decided to open an investigation into the situation in Belarus in connection with crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Lukashenko’s regime.

The preliminary examination had been conducted since 30 September 2024, following a referral from Lithuania. Although Belarus has not signed the Rome Statute, part of the alleged crimes was committed on the territory of Lithuania.

“There is a reasonable basis to believe that the coercive acts that led to deportation constituted a course of conduct against actual or perceived opponents of the Government of Belarus, pursuant to or in furtherance of a State policy. The Office has concluded that the alleged crimes committed by the authorities were encouraged or endorsed by the highest levels of government leadership.

There is also a reasonable basis to believe that these crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population, considering their large scale, the number of victims and the organised nature of the acts.

The investigation covers cross-border crimes — any past or present allegations of crimes committed since 1 May 2020 in Belarus where at least one element of the crime occurred on the territory of Lithuania, in line with the parameters of the referral and the jurisdictional framework,” the Office of the ICC Prosecutor said in a statement.

Commenting on the decision, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said:

“I welcome the decision of the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into Lukashenko’s regime for crimes against humanity. Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have suffered and continue to suffer because of the regime’s actions, and Lukashenko’s policies also pose threats to Belarus’s neighbours.”

As her deputy in the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, added, this decision means that Lukashenko will be placed on an international wanted list.

translated via ClaudeAI