International Criminal Court launches investigation into Belarus deportation allegations

International Criminal Court Opens Investigation into Alleged Crimes Committed by Belarus

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an investigation into alleged crimes committed by Belarus, specifically deportation and persecution through deportation. The ICC prosecutor’s office announced on Thursday that it had found a reasonable basis to believe that such crimes were committed within the court’s jurisdiction.

According to the ICC, the alleged crimes took place at least in part on the territory of Lithuania, where tens of thousands of Belarusians have sought refuge after protests against President Alexander Lukashenko’s government were violently suppressed in 2020. Exiled opposition figures have reported being threatened by Minsk’s KGB security services while abroad.

Lithuania brought the case to the ICC, as it is a member of the court and has become a refuge for many Belarusians fleeing persecution. The ICC prosecutor stated that there was a reasonable basis to believe that these crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the announcement, stating that hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have suffered due to the regime’s actions. She expressed hope that justice would prevail and those responsible would be held accountable.

The ICC investigation follows reports of Belarus forcibly deporting political prisoners, mostly to Lithuania. In September 2024, Lithuania urged the ICC to open an investigation into alleged crimes committed by Belarus. The Viasna rights group estimates that there are currently 1,139 political prisoners in Belarus.

Source: Al Jazeera