Belarus ‘forces’ Ryanair jet diversion sparking international outrage

Published

5 years ago

May 24, 2021

A Ryanair flight traveling from Greece to Lithuania has been diverted to Belarus – where authorities boarded the aircraft and arrested a Belarusian activist who was on board

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

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

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.

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

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.

World leaders call for international investigation

Leaders and government officials from different parts of the world have now spoken out following the arrest of Protasevich.

There has been a joint call of condemnation from Ireland, UK, US, Poland, Germany, Czechia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken also slammed Belarusian officials.

Joint call for all flights to, from, and over Belarus to be suspended and for sanctions on the Lukashenko regime from the chairs of the Parliament foreign affairs committees of Ireland, UK, US, Poland, Germany, Czechia, Latvia, Lithuania pic.twitter.com/RWWv7niJtR
— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) May 23, 2021

The outrageous and illegal behaviour of the regime in Belarus will have consequences.

Those responsible for the #Ryanair hijacking must be sanctioned.

Journalist Roman Protasevich must be released immediately.

EUCO will discuss tomorrow action to take.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 23, 2021

We strongly condemn the Lukashenka regime's brazen and shocking act to divert a commercial flight and arrest a journalist. We demand an international investigation and are coordinating with our partners on next steps. The United States stands with the people of Belarus.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 23, 2021

Ukraine and Russia set for U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

Published

1 hour ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that new peace talks with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi later this week. The discussions are part of U.S.-led efforts to find a path toward ending the ongoing war.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over the timing of the meeting.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff described prior discussions with Russian officials as productive, though major disagreements over territorial issues remain unresolved.

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News

Tensions rise as Iran threatens conflict and U.S. increases naval forces

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Published

3 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Iran has warned of a potential regional conflict if the U.S. launches an attack, while labelling European armies as terrorists. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that threats from President Trump will not intimidate the Iranian people.

The U.S. has ramped up its naval presence in the Middle East in response to mounting threats, amid speculation over Iran’s next moves. Iranian officials have denied claims of imminent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to global uncertainty.

#MiddleEastCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #NavalTensions #Trump #AyatollahKhamenei #EuropeanUnion #GlobalConflict

News

Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Published

3 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Carlos Alcaraz has stunned the tennis world by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match, finishing 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic missed out on claiming his 25th Grand Slam title. To mark the milestone, Alcaraz revealed he plans to add a new tattoo of a kangaroo on his leg, joining his existing Eiffel Tower and Wimbledon strawberry tattoos.

#CarlosAlcaraz #AustralianOpen #GrandSlam #TennisHistory #NovakDjokovic #SportsNews #TennisTattoo #YoungChampion