Lithuania Seeks ICC Prosecution of Belarus' President

Belarus' exiled opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, praised Lithuania's move to seek prosecution of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the International Criminal Court. Tsikhanouskaya and many Belarusians have fled from intense government crackdown. Lithuania accuses Lukashenko's government of crimes against humanity, hoping for international justice for Belarusian civilians.

Belarus' exiled opposition leader hailed Lithuania's move to seek prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC) of her country's authoritarian president and other officials, stating it brings fresh hope to her homeland.

"For me personally, this step means that I can now explain to Belarusians that the international justice system works, that there are countries who really want to help us,'' Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press.

"For the Belarusian people, it is important to prove that we are not abandoned, we are not forgotten," she added, following Lithuania's formal accusation of President Alexander Lukashenko and others of crimes against humanity for forcing Belarusians to flee.

ICC's prosecutor has agreed to open a probe into these claims. Belarus is not an ICC member, but Lithuania argues the court has jurisdiction, drawing on a precedent involving Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Lithuania's referral to the ICC outlines "reasonable grounds" to suspect Lukashenko's government in deportation, persecution, and other inhumane acts against Belarusian civilians over the last four years.

Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians, including Tsikhanouskaya, have left during a severe crackdown on opposition following the contested 2020 presidential election, which saw Lukashenko secure a sixth term. Many fled to Lithuania.

Tsikhanouskaya entered the 2020 race after authorities arrested her husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski, who had planned to run. She fled after being warned of potential imprisonment.

Over 65,000 have been arrested amid the crackdown, with many experiencing severe beatings, per rights group Viasna.

Opposition leaders allege Lukashenko, in a bid for a seventh term, is intensifying pressure on exiled Belarusians to quash overseas opposition support.

Last year, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Lukashenko's ally, Russian President Putin, over alleged child abductions from Ukraine. Another opposition figure, Pavel Latushka, claims Lukashenko approved child relocations from Ukraine to Belarus, urging the ICC to issue a warrant for his arrest.

(With inputs from agencies.)