The International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor has concluded two preliminary examinations: the Situation in Venezuela II and the Situation in Lithuania/Belarus, both referred by States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
After assessing jurisdiction, admissibility and the interests of justice, the Office reached different conclusions in the two cases.
In Venezuela II, the Prosecutor found no reasonable basis to believe that crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction were committed as a result of sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela since 2014. The Office determined that available information did not establish the necessary causal link or criminal intent required under international criminal law. As a result, no investigation will be opened. Venezuela has 90 days to request a review of the decision.
The decision does not affect the separate and ongoing ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Venezuela related to detention practices since 2014.
In contrast, the Prosecutor has opened an investigation into the Lithuania/Belarus situation after concluding there is a reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity may have been committed, including deportation and persecution on political grounds. The case concerns alleged actions by authorities in Belarus that affected victims on the territory of Lithuania, an ICC member state.
The investigation will examine alleged transboundary crimes committed since May 2020, where at least one element occurred in Lithuania.
The Office has notified ICC States Parties and invited individuals or organizations with relevant information to submit it through its secure platform.
