Belarus ‘forces’ Ryanair jet diversion sparking international outrage

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.