Sanctions on Belarus after “state-sponsored hijacking” of passenger jet - BBC News

International sanctions have been imposed on Belarus, after a Ryanair passenger jet was forced to divert and land there, so the authorities could arrest a journalist on board.

Roman Protasevich, 26, is a journalist and blogger and a well-known critic of the Belarusian head of state President Lukashenko.

The Ryanair flight was on its way from Athens to Vilnius in Lithuania, when it was intercepted by a fighter jet and forced to divert to Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Mr Protasevich and his girlfriend were arrested.

Lithuania has advised its citizens to leave Belarus.

The European Union has banned Belarus from using EU airspace or airports and imposed individual sanction on officials linked to the operation. It has called on the International Civil Aviation Organization to begin an investigation into the incident.

The British government has ordered planes to avoid Belarus airspace and UK airports have also suspended flights operated by the Belarus national airline Belavia.

Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Europe correspondent Jean McKenzie.

Please subscribe HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog

#BBCNews

Видео Sanctions on Belarus after “state-sponsored hijacking” of passenger jet - BBC News канала BBC News