Belarus plane diversion: What you should know, in 500 words
3 years, 7 months ago

Belarus plane diversion: What you should know, in 500 words

Al Jazeera  

Western powers are furious after Minsk diverted a plane and arrested a dissident journalist who was on board. Ryanair said Belarusian air traffic control notified its crew of a “potential security threat on board” and instructed them to divert the plane to the nearest airport, Minsk. Deputy air force commander Andrei Gurtsevich said the plane’s crew had made the decision to land in Minsk, adding that the fighter jet was sent to “provide help to the civilian aircraft to ensure a safe landing”. Another passenger, Marius Rutkauskas, told The Associated Press news agency Protasevich and his girlfriend “freaked out when the pilot said the plane is diverted to Minsk … He said there’s death penalty awaiting him there.” Who’s Protasevich and what punishment he faces? Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who lost to Lukashenko in the August poll, believes Protasevich faces the death penalty in Belarus because he has been categorised as a “terrorist”.

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History of this topic

Serbian appeals court overturns ruling to extradite to Belarus a critic of its authoritarian regime
3 months, 1 week ago

Serbian appeals court overturns ruling to extradite to Belarus a critic of its authoritarian regime

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — An appeals court in Serbia on Wednesday overturned an earlier court ruling that a prominent critic of the authoritarian government in Belarus should be extradited to that country, and said that the case must be retried. The appeals court in Belgrade said on its website on Wednesday that the first-instance court provided no firm evidence that Hniot …

Poland charges 3 Belarusian officials with diverting a plane to Minsk in 2021 to arrest a dissident
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Poland charges 3 Belarusian officials with diverting a plane to Minsk in 2021 to arrest a dissident

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — Polish prosecutors on Friday charged three Belarusian officials with using a ruse to divert a Poland-registered plane while in flight three years ago and violating the freedom of 132 people on board as they sought to arrest a dissident. The three officials are accused of ordering the plane carrying a dissident blogger to make an unplanned landing …

Poland charges 3 Belarusians who forced the diversion of a plane to Minsk in 2021
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Poland charges 3 Belarusians who forced the diversion of a plane to Minsk in 2021

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Artists urge Serbia not to extradite to Belarus a critic of its authoritarian regime
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Artists urge Serbia not to extradite to Belarus a critic of its authoritarian regime

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — More than 70 European artists and film directors have signed an open letter urging Serbia not to extradite to Belarus a filmmaker and a prominent critic of the authoritarian government in Minsk, who is wanted in his home country for alleged tax evasion. Among those who signed the letter are French actress and president of the European …

Serbian court rules to extradite to Belarus a critic of its authoritarian regime
6 months, 1 week ago

Serbian court rules to extradite to Belarus a critic of its authoritarian regime

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — A Serbian court has ruled to extradite a Belarusian filmmaker and pro-democracy political activist to the authoritarian government in Minsk where he could face prison and torture, his lawyers and supporters said Friday. “Today, the lawyers of movie director Andrei Hniot received the decision of the Higher Court in Belgrade on Andrei’s possible extradition to Belarus,” said …

Belarus authorities unleash another wave of raids and property seizures targeting over 200 activists
7 months ago

Belarus authorities unleash another wave of raids and property seizures targeting over 200 activists

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Authorities in Belarus on Tuesday carried out raids and property seizures targeting more than 200 opposition activists, the latest step in the unrelenting government crackdown against dissent, coinciding with the opposition’s “day of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners.” Belarus’ authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, began the clampdown in August 2020 in response to mass protests following his disputed …

Belarusian dissident who was pulled off forced-down plane says he has been pardoned
1 year, 7 months ago

Belarusian dissident who was pulled off forced-down plane says he has been pardoned

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — The Belarusian state news agency on Monday reported that a dissident journalist who was pulled off a flight that was forced to land in the country and was later sentenced to eight years in prison says he has received a presidential pardon. He ran a Telegram messaging app channel that was widely used by participants in mass …

Dissident pulled off plane by Belarus gets 8 years in prison
1 year, 7 months ago

Dissident pulled off plane by Belarus gets 8 years in prison

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — A court in Belarus convicted a dissident journalist who was arrested after being pulled off a commercial flight that was diverted to the country and sentenced him Wednesday to eight years in prison. Raman Pratasevich’s dramatic arrest in May 2021 elicited outrage in the West, with some leaders saying the plane’s diversion was tantamount to state- Belarusian …

Dissident journalist pulled off plane by Belarus gets 8 years in prison
1 year, 7 months ago

Dissident journalist pulled off plane by Belarus gets 8 years in prison

LA Times  

Belarusian police arrest Raman Pratasevich, center, in Minsk, Belarus, in 2017. A court in Belarus convicted a dissident journalist who was arrested after being pulled off a commercial flight that was diverted to the country and sentenced him Wednesday to eight years in prison. Raman Pratasevich’s dramatic arrest in May 2021 elicited outrage in the West, with some leaders saying …

10-year sentence asked for journalist forced down in Belarus
1 year, 8 months ago

10-year sentence asked for journalist forced down in Belarus

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Prosecutors requested a 10-year prison sentence Friday for a dissident Belarusian journalist who was arrested after a warplane forced down a commercial airliner he was taking to Lithuania. Pratasevich ran a Telegram messaging app channel that was widely used by participants in mass protests against the disputed August 2020 election that gave authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko …

US sanctions Belarus’ election officials, president’s plane
1 year, 9 months ago

US sanctions Belarus’ election officials, president’s plane

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. imposed sanctions Friday on seven Belarusian elections officials, two state-owned automotive manufacturers and President Alexander Lukashenko’s aircraft. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, intensified his repression after a wave of protests in 2020 following a presidential election that the West and Belarus’ opposition denounced as a sham. Lukashenko’s aircraft, a Boeing 737 that he uses …

Anti-Russia guerillas in Belarus take on 'two-headed enemy'
1 year, 9 months ago

Anti-Russia guerillas in Belarus take on 'two-headed enemy'

ABC  

After Russia invaded Ukraine, guerillas from Belarus began carrying out acts of sabotage on their country's railways, including blowing up track equipment to paralyse rails that Russian forces used to get troops and weapons into Ukraine. Key points: A guerilla movement has sprung up on the ground and online to disrupt the Kremlin's operations in Belarus Guerillas have posted Russian …

UN rights chief decries ‘systematic repression’ in Belarus
1 year, 9 months ago

UN rights chief decries ‘systematic repression’ in Belarus

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The U.N. human rights chief called on Belarus Friday to end its “systematic repression” of critics and immediately release people held on political grounds, saying some violations may amount to crimes against humanity. Authorities targeted opposition activists, journalists, medical workers, members of shooting sports clubs and people working with drones, according to Viasna, Belarus’ oldest and most prominent …

Belarus rights group says scores detained in new clampdown
1 year, 9 months ago

Belarus rights group says scores detained in new clampdown

Associated Press  

Rights advocates in Belarus sounded the alarm on Tuesday about a new heavy crackdown on dissent by the authoritarian government that saw over 100 people — including several psychologists and psychiatrists — detained in a week. Viasna’s Pavel Sapelka told The Associated Press that Belarus’ security forces are waging “sweeping raids and searches” on those suspected of involvement in a …

Leader of Belarus acknowledges attack on Russian warplane
1 year, 9 months ago

Leader of Belarus acknowledges attack on Russian warplane

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — The authoritarian leader of Belarus said Tuesday that an alleged Ukrainian saboteur and more than 20 accomplices were detained over an attack on a Russian warplane stationed near his country’s capital. Belarusian guerrillas from the Association of Security Forces of Belarus claimed responsibility for the attack last week, saying the group, also known as BYPOL, used two …

Suspects of group that destroyed Russian plane detained: Belarus
1 year, 9 months ago

Suspects of group that destroyed Russian plane detained: Belarus

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian anti-government activists said last month that they had blown up a Russian military surveillance aircraft in a drone attack. Belarusian anti-government activists said last month that they had blown up a sophisticated Russian military aircraft – a Beriev A-50 surveillance plane – in a drone attack at an airfield near the Belarusian capital Minsk, a claim disputed by Moscow …

Poland expels Belarus diplomat in retaliatory move
1 year, 10 months ago

Poland expels Belarus diplomat in retaliatory move

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that a Belarusian diplomat was asked to leave the country amid swelling tensions over the imprisonment of a prominent ethnic Polish journalist in Belarus. The defense attache at the Embassy of Belarus was to leave Warsaw very soon, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lukasz Jasina told Polish new agency PAP. Jasina said the action …

A UN agency is blaming Belarusian officials for a hoax that grounded Roman Protasevich's flight. Here's how it all unfolded
2 years, 5 months ago

A UN agency is blaming Belarusian officials for a hoax that grounded Roman Protasevich's flight. Here's how it all unfolded

ABC  

The United Nations' aviation agency has blamed senior Belarusian officials for a hoax that grounded a Ryanair flight and led to the arrest of a dissident journalist last year. The International Civil Aviation Organization, which had previously said it did not know who was behind the hoax, condemned authorities in Minsk, where the plane was grounded, for "committing an act …

Woman forced to land in Belarus gets 6 years in prison
2 years, 7 months ago

Woman forced to land in Belarus gets 6 years in prison

Associated Press  

LVIV, Ukraine — A woman who ran a Belarusian opposition messaging app channel and was arrested along with her activist boyfriend when an airliner they were on was forced to land in Belarus was convicted Friday of charges that included inciting social hatred. Sapega and Raman Pratasevich were flying from Athens to Vilnius, Lithuania a year ago when their plane …

Belarus sentences dissident’s girlfriend to six years in prison
2 years, 7 months ago

Belarus sentences dissident’s girlfriend to six years in prison

Al Jazeera  

Sofia Sapega, whose flight was forced to land in Belarus last year, was convicted for inciting social hatred. A Belarusian court sentenced Sofia Sapega, the girlfriend of a dissident arrested after their commercial flight was forced to land in Belarus last year, to six years in prison on Friday for inciting social hatred, according to the Viasna Human Rights Center. …

U.S. charges Belarus officials with air piracy in reporter's arrest
2 years, 11 months ago

U.S. charges Belarus officials with air piracy in reporter's arrest

NPR  

U.S. charges Belarus officials with air piracy in reporter's arrest Enlarge this image toggle caption ONT /AP file photo ONT /AP file photo NEW YORK — U.S. prosecutors charged four Belarusian government officials on Thursday with aircraft piracy for diverting a Ryanair flight last year to arrest an opposition journalist, using a ruse that there was a bomb threat. In …

Probe by Poland refutes Belarus account of diverted flight
3 years ago

Probe by Poland refutes Belarus account of diverted flight

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — The diversion to Minsk of a Lithuania-bound flight carrying a self-exiled Belarusian journalist was an act of “state terrorism” carried out to detain an opponent of Belarus’ government, Polish security officials said Friday. Zaryn said the diversion was aimed at detaining a “political opponent of the regime of Aleksander Lukashenko” and can be considered an “act of …

Lukashenko says Belarusian Olympic defector was ‘manipulated’
3 years, 4 months ago

Lukashenko says Belarusian Olympic defector was ‘manipulated’

Al Jazeera  

Belarus president comments on Tsimanouskaya as he defends election victory and accuses opponents of plotting ‘coup’. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said the Belarusian sprinter who defected at the Olympic Games in Tokyo had been “manipulated” by outside forces and would not have fled abroad otherwise. “Today, Belarus is in the focus of the attention of the whole world,” Lukashenko …

How sports became a ‘battleground for reprisals’ in Belarus
3 years, 4 months ago

How sports became a ‘battleground for reprisals’ in Belarus

Al Jazeera  

Olympic athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya joined a group of defecting Belarusian sportspeople when she spurned her homeland. Lukashenko’s tenure as head of the Belarusian Olympic Committee was only slightly shorter than his ongoing presidency – he terminated it last November after the International Olympic Committee barred him from attending the Tokyo Games. “Belarusian athletes have paid a high price for daring …

Belarus runner used quick thinking to avoid being sent home
3 years, 4 months ago

Belarus runner used quick thinking to avoid being sent home

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — A Belarusian Olympic sprinter who feared reprisals back home after publicly criticizing her coaches at the Tokyo Games used quick thinking to get help, using her phone to translate a plea and show it to Japanese police as she tried to avoid being forced onto a plane. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, tweeted to …

‘Freedom is worth fighting for’: Belarus activists go on trial
3 years, 4 months ago

‘Freedom is worth fighting for’: Belarus activists go on trial

Al Jazeera  

Key opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova is accused of conspiring to seize power over her role in anti-government protests. Leading members of the Belarusian opposition went on trial on Wednesday, part of a multi-pronged crackdown on dissent in the ex-Soviet nation that was rocked by months of protests over a disputed presidential election. The trial of Kolesnikova and lawyer Maxim Znak, …

Opinion: The ugly reality behind Belarusian Olympian Kristina Timanovskaya’s defection
3 years, 4 months ago

Opinion: The ugly reality behind Belarusian Olympian Kristina Timanovskaya’s defection

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Michael Bociurkiw is a global affairs analyst, author of the book “Digital Pandemic” and co-host of the podcast,”Global Impact.” He is a regular contributor to CNN Opinion. CNN — After forcing down a civilian airliner from European skies in May to detain a journalist who was on board, perhaps it was only a matter of time before “Europe’s …

Is political repression worsening in Belarus?
3 years, 4 months ago

Is political repression worsening in Belarus?

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian Olympic athlete asks Poland for protection, while activist is found hanged in Ukraine. Krystsina Tsimanouskaya went to the Tokyo Olympics with dreams of representing Belarus at the world’s biggest sporting event. As Tsimanouskaya’s case unfolded, a Belarusian activist in Ukraine was found hanged in a park. Presenter: Hazem Sika Guests: Anatol Kotau – International relations manager, Belarusian Sports Solidarity …

Belarus opposition leader seeks new US, European sanctions
3 years, 4 months ago

Belarus opposition leader seeks new US, European sanctions

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The leader of Belarus’ embattled opposition hopes the United States and Europe will impose new sanctions on money-making government enterprises that will lead to the collapse of President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime and a peaceful transition that pro-democracy supporters are preparing for because “it can happen very fast.” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition challenger to Lukashenko in last …

Belarus arrests 3 journalists in media crackdown
3 years, 5 months ago

Belarus arrests 3 journalists in media crackdown

Al Jazeera  

Authorities in Belarus raided the offices of an independent newspaper and arrested three of its journalists on Monday as part of a relentless crackdown on media outlets and civil society activists. “The authorities have turned life into hell for independent journalists in Belarus with a conveyor belt of searches and arrests,” BAJ head Andrei Bastunets said. “They forced me to …

Jailed journalist Roman Protasevich claims he feels 'wonderful' at media event with Belarus officials
3 years, 6 months ago

Jailed journalist Roman Protasevich claims he feels 'wonderful' at media event with Belarus officials

ABC  

Jailed Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich has appeared at a news conference in Minsk, saying he felt fine and had not been beaten, in what the opposition said was another public appearance made under duress. Key points: Roman Protasevich denied allegations he was abused in custody and said he was ready to take responsibility for his crimes Doubts have been raised …

Arrested Belarus dissident weeps in interview on state TV
3 years, 6 months ago

Arrested Belarus dissident weeps in interview on state TV

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — The dissident Belarusian journalist and opposition activist who was arrested after his airline flight was diverted to Minsk wept Thursday in an interview on state television, saying he was fully cooperating with investigators and declaring that he respects the authoritarian president he opposed for years. Asked by the interviewer if he respects Lukashenko, Pratasevich said “certainly.” Pratsevich, …

The Belarus plane hijacking reflects appeasement of tyranny
3 years, 6 months ago

The Belarus plane hijacking reflects appeasement of tyranny

Al Jazeera  

Lukashenko hijacked a European civil aircraft because he thought he could get away with it. On May 23, the world watched as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko used his air force to intercept a civilian airliner on the pretext of a bogus bomb threat, grounded it in Minsk, and kidnapped prominent opposition journalist Roman Protasevich and his fiancé before eventually freeing …

Roman Protasevich | Plucked from the sky
3 years, 6 months ago

Roman Protasevich | Plucked from the sky

The Hindu  

On May 23, Roman Protasevich, a 26-year-old Belarussian journalist, boarded a Ryanair flight from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, with his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, a Russian law student. When the plane landed, KGB agents — the Belarussian secret service still goes by the old Soviet name — whisked away Mr. Protasevich and Ms. Sapega. It has since emerged that the …

Belarusians increasingly cornered after EU cuts air links
3 years, 6 months ago

Belarusians increasingly cornered after EU cuts air links

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — As fear of repression rises among Belarusians following the arrest of a dissident journalist whose plane was forcibly diverted to Minsk, those who want to leave the country are feeling increasingly cornered. “The authorities have divided all citizens into loyalists and enemies, and treat us accordingly.” Hatsura-Yavorska’s Ukrainian husband was ordered to leave Belarus along with their …

Belarus opposition leader calls on Dutch to back economic sanctions
3 years, 6 months ago

Belarus opposition leader calls on Dutch to back economic sanctions

Dutch News  

Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was in The Hague on Friday afternoon for talks with prime minister Mark Rutte and foreign minister Sigrid Kaag, just days after Belarus kidnapped a leading activist by forcing a Ryanair plan to divert. Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory in last year’s Belarus elections, currently lives in the Lithuanian capital Vilnuis after being forced to flee …

Belarus opposition leader calls on Dutch to back economic sanctions
3 years, 6 months ago

Belarus opposition leader calls on Dutch to back economic sanctions

Dutch News  

Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was in The Hague on Friday afternoon for talks with prime minister Mark Rutte and foreign minister Sigrid Kaag, just days after Belarus kidnapped a leading activist by forcing a Ryanair plan to divert. Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory in last year’s Belarus elections, currently lives in the Lithuanian capital Vilnuis after being forced to flee …

At 26, Belarus journalist has spent a decade in opposition
3 years, 6 months ago

At 26, Belarus journalist has spent a decade in opposition

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Raman Pratasevich has been part of the Belarus political opposition for over a decade and has long feared the authorities would try to abduct him, even though he was living abroad. Lukashenko and other Belarusian officials alleged Pratasevich fought as a “mercenary” in eastern Ukraine, but Andriy Biletskiy, who led the Azov volunteer battalion in the region, …

Only 26, Belarus dissident arrested after plane diversion has spent a decade fighting oppression
3 years, 6 months ago

Only 26, Belarus dissident arrested after plane diversion has spent a decade fighting oppression

LA Times  

Only 26, Roman Protasevich has been part of the Belarusian political opposition for over a decade and long feared the authorities would try to abduct him, even though he was living abroad. Lukashenko and other Belarusian officials alleged that Protasevich fought as a “mercenary” in eastern Ukraine, but Andriy Biletsky, who led the Azov volunteer battalion in the region, insisted …

White House Slaps Sanctions On Belarus Following Brazen Arrest Of Opposition Figure
3 years, 6 months ago

White House Slaps Sanctions On Belarus Following Brazen Arrest Of Opposition Figure

NPR  

White House Slaps Sanctions On Belarus Following Brazen Arrest Of Opposition Figure Enlarge this image toggle caption Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images The White House on Friday night announced a series of sanctions against Belarus for its forced landing of a Ryanair commercial flight and the subsequent removal and arrest of opposition journalist Roman Protasevich. …

Belarus: ‘All Belarusians are hostages to Lukashenko’s regime,’ say citizens now cut off from Europe
3 years, 6 months ago

Belarus: ‘All Belarusians are hostages to Lukashenko’s regime,’ say citizens now cut off from Europe

CNN  

CNN — As European airlines suspend the flights to Belarus that once offered one of the few exit routes out of an oppressive state already in the grip of closed land borders, many Belarusians fear the return of a Soviet-style Iron Curtain around their country. “All my friends are worried about the future of the country … we are very …

Defiant Belarus leader slams EU sanctions on plane diversion
3 years, 6 months ago

Defiant Belarus leader slams EU sanctions on plane diversion

LA Times  

Belarus’ authoritarian president lashed out Wednesday at Europe for trying to “strangle” his country with sanctions over the diversion of a passenger jet, and he accused a dissident journalist arrested after the flight landed in Minsk of working to foment a “bloody rebellion.” In a long, rambling speech to lawmakers and top officials, President Alexander Lukashenko defended his decision to …

Belarus’ isolation grows after journalist’s dramatic arrest
3 years, 6 months ago

Belarus’ isolation grows after journalist’s dramatic arrest

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Belarus’ isolation deepened Tuesday as commercial jets avoided its airspace, the European Union worked up new sanctions, and officials expressed concern for the welfare of an opposition journalist who was arrested after being pulled off a plane that was diverted to Minsk in what the West called a state- The dramatic developments put a spotlight on Belarusian President …

Ryanair ‘hijack’ to Minsk could have serious consequences for Belarus
3 years, 6 months ago

Ryanair ‘hijack’ to Minsk could have serious consequences for Belarus

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A budget airline flight between two European Union capitals is suddenly forced to land on the …

EU imposes air traffic curbs on Belarus after plane diversion in Minsk to arrest dissident journalist
3 years, 6 months ago

EU imposes air traffic curbs on Belarus after plane diversion in Minsk to arrest dissident journalist

Firstpost  

The 26-year-old reporter was aboard a Ryanair plane from Athens to Vilnius. Ukraine said it would halt direct flights between the two countries and over Belarus, while Scandinavian airline SAS, Germany’s Lufthansa and Latvia-based regional airline Air Baltic said they would be avoiding Belarusian airspace. Its air force chief said the plane’s captain had decided to land in Belarus “without …

3 Reasons Why The Arrest Of A Journalist By Belarus Is Troubling
3 years, 7 months ago

3 Reasons Why The Arrest Of A Journalist By Belarus Is Troubling

NPR  

3 Reasons Why The Arrest Of A Journalist By Belarus Is Troubling Enlarge this image toggle caption Sergei Grits/AP Sergei Grits/AP The brazen arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich by the Belarusian government, in which it forced the plane he was aboard to land in Minsk, has sent a chill down the spine of the international community. Enlarge this image toggle …

Belarus’ isolation grows after plane diverted to arrest journalist
3 years, 7 months ago

Belarus’ isolation grows after plane diverted to arrest journalist

LA Times  

Belarus’ isolation deepened Tuesday as commercial jets avoided its airspace, the European Union worked up new sanctions, and officials expressed concern for the welfare of an opposition journalist who was arrested after being pulled off a plane that was diverted to Minsk in what the West called a state- The dramatic developments put a spotlight on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s …

EXPLAINER: What was behind a jet’s diversion to Belarus?
3 years, 7 months ago

EXPLAINER: What was behind a jet’s diversion to Belarus?

Associated Press  

The diversion of a Ryanair flight to Lithuania by Belarus, leading to the arrest of an opposition journalist who was a passenger, has sparked international outrage and calls for tough sanctions against the former Soviet nation. Once the plane landed, Belarusian security agents arrested Raman Pratasevich, who ran a popular messaging app that helped organize mass demonstrations against President Alexander …

Airlines avoiding Belarus airspace following forced Ryanair diversion
3 years, 7 months ago

Airlines avoiding Belarus airspace following forced Ryanair diversion

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Airlines appear to be avoiding Belarus airspace following the forced diversion of a Ryanair jet carrying …

Why Belarus risked the wrath of the world to arrest an activist
3 years, 7 months ago

Why Belarus risked the wrath of the world to arrest an activist

Al Jazeera  

Is Lukashenko set on revenge or trying to send a message with Roman Protasevich’s detention? Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko scrambled a military jet to forcibly land a passenger airliner on Sunday night because of a “bomb report” that turned out to be fake. He may be right, because “extremism” is punishable by death in Belarus, Europe’s last nation where death …

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