The United States reprimanded Belarus after its leaders forced down a commercial airline to arrest a dissident who was on board.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the immediate release of 26-year-old journalist Raman Pratasevich, who was removed and arrested from the aircraft on Sunday.
“The United States strongly condemns the forced diversion of a flight between two EU member states and the subsequent removal and arrest of journalist Raman Pratasevich in Minsk,” Blinken said in a statement. “This shocking act perpetrated by the Lukashenka regime endangered the lives of more than 120 passengers, including U.S. citizens.”
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Pratasevich was aboard a commercial Ryanair flight from Greece to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius when the aircraft changed course and headed toward the Belarusian capital of Minsk. The plane was reportedly about 6 miles from the Lithuanian border when it diverted its course, according to a report by Fox News.
Belarusian authorities had reportedly alerted what turned out to be a false bomb alert to force the aircraft to land. Ryanair condemned the actions, calling it aviation piracy.
“Ryanair condemns the unlawful actions of Belarusian authorities who diverted Ryanair’s flight,” the company said in a statement, adding that it is coordinating with European Union safety and security agencies and NATO on the incident.
Pratasevich works for the Poland-based online news service NEXTA and has been wanted by Belarusian authorities for broadcasting mass protests against President Alexander Lukashenko through a messenger app last year.
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The journalist allegedly faces charges that could potentially result in the death penalty.
