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 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.