European nations and countries around the world are calling for action after Belarusian activist Roman Protasevich was arrested onboard a Ryanair flight yesterday.
The EU has agreed to ban Belorussian airlines from European skies and also promised further economic sanctions.
UN rights office is calling for Belarus to immediately release journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend held after forced plane landing.
The diversion of the plane which was travelling from Greece to Lithuania is being called “state-sanctioned hijacking”.
26-year-old Protasevich was “super scared on his detention” and reportedly told other passengers onboard the aircraft that he would be sentenced to death.
International pressure is mounting on Belarus – with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel labelling the incident as “an international scandal”.
The EU is preparing to meet to discuss possible sanctions for Belarus officials, including the country’s President Alexander Lukashenko.
Numerous countries have moved to avoid Belarus airspace following the incident.
Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary says it was clear that the intent of the Belarusian authorities was to remove the journalist and his travelling companion.”
The airline boss also believes some KGB agents were offloaded from the aircraft as well.
It comes as a video was released by authorities of Protasevich himself speaking about his capture.
In the footage, a battered and bruised Protasevich says he confesses to his charges and is cooperating with the investigation.
Lithuania’s Prime Minister says ‘It is an unprecedented attack against an international community”.
