Minsk 22:35

Lithuania asks ICC to launch investigation into suspected crimes against humanity by Łukašenka

(opinioncaribe.com file photo)

September 30, Pozirk. The Lithuanian government has submitted a file on crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Alaksandar Łukašenka and his officials, to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, said the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM).

The government attached conclusions by international experts and asked the prosecutor to launch an investigation, said NAM, a Warsaw-based agency run by the Belarusian opposition.

The NAM said the ICC has been provided with evidence of deportation, the persecution of Belarusians abroad and other inhumane acts.

The regime forced hundreds of thousands to flee the country by creating the atmosphere of fear and terror, which is tantamount to deportation, it said.

About 300,000 people left the country after the 2020 presidential election, estimated the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the UN high commissioner for human rights.

The persecution of Belarusians abroad includes threats to their life and health, reprisals against their relatives in Belarus, property seizure in Belarus, trials in absentia, the denial of access to basic public services, discrimination and hate speech, the NAM said.

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