Belarus accused of hijacking plane

The U.S. and Europe have expressed outrage after Belarus forced an airliner to land in the country after a bomb threat so that authorities could arrest a Belarusian activist who was onboard the flight


Exiled opposition activist Roman Protasevich (seen in 2017 being detained by Belarusian police) is prominent critic of Belarus’ authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko

May 23: Protasevich travelling on Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius when Belarusian authorities scrambled fighter jet and diverted airliner to Minsk

Flight path: Plane flying through Belarus’ airspace, diverted about 10km from Lithuanian border after authorities alert crew to false bomb threat

Minsk: Authorities board plane and arrest Protasevich – journalist who covered opposition protests against Lukashenko in 2020. Plane allowed to take off again for Vilnius, but without Protasevich on board


Boeing 737-800


LITHUANIA
Vilnius
Minsk
BELARUS
GREECE
Athens
500km 300 miles


Sources: Bloomberg, BBC, Reuters
Picture: Associated Press
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