Lithuania submits evidence of Lukashenko's regime crimes to ICC
Photo: Alexander Lukashenko (Getty Images)
The Lithuanian government has officially handed over materials concerning the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, according to the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice.
According to the Lithuanian side, there is sufficient evidence to consider that Lukashenko and his associates are committing crimes against humanity, including forced deportation and persecution of individuals, as well as other brutal acts that violate fundamental norms of international law.
"The Government of Lithuania has taken the lead to be the first state to make a referral of the situation in Belarus before the International Criminal Court. It has done so because it can no longer sit idly by whilst crimes against humanity continue to be committed on a vast scale in Belarus, the neighboring country; and whilst victims languish in exile; away from their homes, families and friends," the Ministry of Justice stated.
The Lithuanian government believes this issue raises concerns from both national security and international community perspectives.
"Lithuania has been the first State to refer to the ICC concerning the situation in Ukraine, and eventually arrest warrant for Putin has been issued. Now, we make a move requesting the ICC to investigate situation in Belarus and we do expect arrest warrant for Lukashenko," said Lithuanian Justice Minister Ewelina Dobrowolska.
Background
Earlier, Belarusian propagandists released a video in which Lukashenko addressed his military, asking whether they could "seize Polish territory." He also mentioned the Suwałki Corridor and leveled accusations against Warsaw and Vilnius.
Suwałki Gap
The sparsely populated border area between Lithuania and Poland is key to transport and energy links for the Baltic states with the rest of the EU. It also serves as the shortest route between Belarus and the Kaliningrad region of Russia.
This territory is viewed as a potential land corridor approximately 100 km long that could connect Belarus with Kaliningrad.
In 2022, Politico reported that the Suwałki Gap from Belarus to Kaliningrad would be the first target for the Kremlin in the event of a war against NATO.
