Lukashenko may face criminal charges as Ukraine takes first steps

Ukraine is taking initial steps toward potentially launching a criminal case against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, according to reports citing Reuters. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office has received a request to evaluate the possibility of initiating criminal proceedings against Lukashenko.

The request originated from the Belarusian democratic forum operating in exile. In May, representatives of the Belarusian opposition appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging him to hold Lukashenko accountable for alleged war crimes and the forced deportation of at least 2,442 Ukrainian children to Belarus. This program was reportedly documented by Yale University's Program on Climate Change Communication.

On July 28, Oleh Tatarov, deputy head of the President's Office Chancellery, informed the forum that the appeal had been forwarded to the prosecutor's office. He stated that appropriate actions would be taken if legal grounds exist. The Ukrainian President's Office confirmed its appeal to the Prosecutor General, Ruslan Kravchenko, on the same day.

While it remains unlikely that Lukashenko would face a Ukrainian court, any formal charges would carry significant weight. The Belarusian opposition views such accusations as a crucial argument for increasing Western pressure on Lukashenko, even as he negotiates with the U.S. regarding the easing of additional sanctions in exchange for the release of political prisoners. Dmitry Bolkunets, Secretary General of the Belarusian democratic forum, told Reuters that prosecuting Lukashenko would "significantly increase the personal legal and security risks he faces" and represent an act of historical justice, potentially having a profound impact within Belarus due to Lukashenko's personal concern over the consequences.

Earlier, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya mentioned that two cases against Lukashenko were being considered by the International Criminal Court, one concerning crimes against humanity and complicity in the deportation of Ukrainian children.

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significantly increase the personal legal and security risks he faces