Belarus opposition leader backs Lithuania's case in ICC over deportations

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya receives the 'European of the Year' prize in Copenhagen

FILE PHOTO: The leader of the Belarusian democracy movement, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya speaks at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen, Denmark May 14, 2024 Ritzau Scanpix/Ida Marie Odgaard via REUTERS/File photo

Source: Ritzau Scanpix Denmark

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya backed Lithuania’s request to the International Criminal Court on Monday to investigate Belarus over forcible deportations and other alleged crimes against its own people.

"The crimes committed by this regime, from forced deportations to illegal arrests and torture, cannot go unpunished. Lithuania's courage gives us hope that the world is finally holding the regime accountable for its atrocities," Tsikhanouskaya said in a statement.

She said about 300,000 Belarusians had been forced to flee the country, with every thirtieth resident of Belarus now living in exile.

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By Reuters