On 12 March, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court said they had opened an investigation into whether the government of Belarus committed crimes that led to deportations of its opponents. Belarus is not a member of the ICC, but the case was brought by Lithuania, which is a member.
Prosecutors determined that at least part of the alleged crimes by Belarusian authorities were committed on Lithuania’s territory, giving them jurisdiction. The prosecutors said there was reason to believe the actions of Belarus were targeted against “actual or perceived opponents” of the Belarusian government.
“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”, they added.
In a post on X, on 12 March, Kęstutis Budrys, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, strongly welcomed “the decision by the ICC# Office of the Prosecutor to open an investigation into crimes against humanity committed by the Lukashenka regime against the people of Belarus from 1 May 2020 onwards, following Lithuania’s request submitted to the International Criminal Court in 2024.”
“No regime should believe it can torture, deport, persecute, or silence its opponents and citizens without consequences. Justice must prevail. Widespread and systematic attacks on civilians must be met with a clear and consistently applied accountability mechanism — because accountability is not only justice for victims; it is deterrence for the future. Those responsible must be held to account,” Minister Budrys said.
Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, also welcomed the ICC’s decision to open a probe into the Lukashenko regime’s crimes against the people of Belarus.
“This sends a powerful signal that there will be no impunity, even for those who consider themselves above the law and any norms of humanity. Ukraine has long advocated for the regime’s accountability—both for its crimes against its own people and for supporting Russia in its aggression against Ukraine. Justice is essential for a better, European, and democratic future of Belarus,” the Ukrainian Minister emphasised.
“Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have suffered, and continue to suffer, because of the regime’s actions. Lukashenka’s policies also create threats for Belarus’ neighbours,” stated Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
“This decision restores hope,” she highlighted. “That justice will prevail, that those responsible will be held accountable, and that the victims will finally receive truth and justice,” underscored Tsikhanouskaya.
Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, thanked the Lithuanian government for Lithuania’s leading role in holding Lukashenko accountable for the crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people.
He said, Lithuania is a true example of commitment to international law.
