Global leaders want answers: Why Belarusian activist was detained

International tensions are growing after a Ryanair flight traveling from Greece to Lithuania was diverted to Belarus, where authorities boarded the aircraft and arrested a Belarusian activist who was onboard.

Raman Pratasevich was living in exile from Belarus and is a vocal critic of the country’s President and his regime.

International leaders are calling for answers.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he condemns the brazen and shocking act and America demands an international investigation.

The Lithuanian president’s chief adviser on foreign affairs also fronted the media a short time ago.

Ryanair flight 4978 was preparing to descent into Lithuania on Sunday when it was informed about a “security alert” and forced to turn around and land.

Questions remain as to whether this security alert was fabricated… with some governments calling it a “state-sanctioned hijacking”.

In a statement, Ryanair says the flight was informed of a “potential security threat onboard” by Belarus air traffic control and was ordered to make an emergency landing.

The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that the activist was detained at Minsk airport, the nation’s main international hub.

Pratasevich is the founder of the Telegram channel Nexta – which is often used to criticise Belarusian leaders and organise anti-government protests.

Our resident political expert Bruce Wolpe says the situation is far from over and the world will demand answers.

The President of the country has been in power since 1994, and was inaugurated into office for his sixth term last year, an election that the European Union says was not legitimate.