The International Criminal Court chief prosecutor said on Monday he would launch a preliminary inquiry against Belarus over alleged crimes against humanity under the rule of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Lithuania has referred hard-line Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and members of his regime to the International Criminal Court, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity by forcing their own people to flee the country.

Lithuania has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate the leadership of Belarus for crimes against humanity, according to an application published by the court. The application claims Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's autocratic leadership has ordered violent deportations and persecutions.

Lithuania requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday to investigate neighbouring Belarus over alleged crimes against humanity under the rule of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Lithuania has referred Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and his regime to the International Criminal Court, accusing them of crimes against humanity. Following the disputed 2020 elections, severe crackdowns forced hundreds of thousands to flee.

Lithuania said on Monday it will ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Belarus over "forcible deportation, persecution and other cruel behaviour" against its own citizens. The action was announced by Lithuania's justice ministry and drew immediate support from exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.