October 3, Pozirk. Poland supports Lithuania’s appeal to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, requesting an investigation of the alleged crimes against humanity committed by Alaksandar Łukašenka and his officials, foreign ministry’s spokesman Pawel Wroński has told Belsat TV channel.
There are “reasonable grounds to believe” that Belarusian authorities “may have committed the crimes defined in the ICC Statute,” he said.
Investigations into crimes against humanity may become an important step towards holding Łukašenka and his officials accountable for the actions committed since May 2020, the official noted.
On Monday, the Lithuanian government submitted a file to the ICC with evidence of Belarusian officials’ involvement in transnational crimes against humanity.
In its referral, Vilnius noted that there are sufficient grounds to believe that security forces committed crimes against humanity under orders from high-ranking Belarusian political, security and military officials since May 1, 2020. They include deportation, persecution and other inhumane acts.
The ICC announced a preliminary examination to determine if there is a reason to proceed with the opening of an investigation into Belarusian officials’ possible complicity in crimes against humanity.
Belarusian pro-democracy forces urged other signatories of the ICC Rome Statute to support Lithuania’s efforts to hold Łukašenka accountable.
