Overview

• Lithuania has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Belarus for alleged crimes against humanity, including forced deportations and persecution.
• The Lithuanian government claims the Belarusian regime forcibly displaced hundreds of thousands of citizens to neighboring countries.
• The accusations stem from a severe crackdown on opposition groups following the disputed 2020 presidential election, which saw mass protests and arrests.
• Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya supports Lithuania's move, stating that about 300,000 Belarusians have fled the country.
• Lithuania argues that the actions of Lukashenko's regime amount to a widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population.