VILNIUS (Reuters) - 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 International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor announced a preliminary inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity in Belarus under Alexander Lukashenko's rule. The request came from Lithuania,

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.

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.