Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighbouring Lithuania shortly after a disputed August 9 election and has since met European political leaders and called for President Alexander Lukashenko to leave power.

Tsikhanouskaya later appeared on Russia's wanted list, something Russia's Interior Ministry said had happened through a mechanism outlined in a regional bloc that both Russia and Belarus are members of.

The exiled opposition politician could face up to five years in jail in Belarus if detained and found guilty, Russia's RIA news agency said. The Belarusian interior ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Security forces have detained more than 13,000 people during a post-election crackdown, some of whom have been later freed. Lukashenko's key political opponents are either in jail or have fled abroad.

"This (move to put Tsikhanouskaya on the wanted list) doesn't surprise anyone. It's clear the regime has no legal ways of retaining power," said Anna Krasulina, a spokeswoman for Tsikhanouskaya.

On Tuesday, Tsikhanouskaya set an October 25 deadline for Lukashenko to quit or face nationwide strikes that would paralyse the country.

The ultimatum came after the authorities intensified their crackdown on anti-government protests and threatened to use combat weapons in the streets. More mass protests are expected this weekend.

Australian Associated Press