ICC prosecutor opens probe into Belarus over deportations to Lithuania

The prosecutor’s office said the crimes being investigated include deportation and persecution through deportation.Published On 12 Mar 2026Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have opened an investigation into Belarus over the suspected forced deportation of government opponents.The ICC prosecutor’s office said on Thursday that it had found “a reasonable basis to believe crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court have been committed”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Lukashenko pardons 30 convicted in Belarus antigovernment protestslist 2 of 3Belarus leader Lukashenko pardons 32 prisoners convicted for ‘extremism’list 3 of 3Belarus opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski freed from jail, says wifeend of listThe alleged crimes that are being investigated include deportation and persecution through deportation and were committed “at least in part on the territory of Lithuania”.“There is a reasonable basis to believe that these crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population,” the prosecutor added.While Belarus is not a member of the ICC, Lithuania is and brought the case to the court.Lithuania has become a refuge for tens of thousands of Belarusians who left their homeland after Minsk authorities violently suppressed protests against longtime President Alexander Lukashenko in 2020.Exiled opposition figures have regularly reported being threatened by Minsk’s KGB security services while abroad.Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the ICC prosecutor’s announcement.“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,” she said in a statement.“This decision restores hope. That justice will prevail, that those responsible will be held accountable, and that the victims will finally receive truth and justice,” she added.