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

The government of Belarus is facing international sanctions, after a Ryanair passenger jet was forced to divert and land, so that the authorities could arrest a journalist on board.

Roman Protasevich, 26, is a journalist and blogger and a well-known critic of the Belarus 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. On arrival, Mr Protasevich and his girlfriend were arrested.

Lithuania has advised its citizens to leave Belarus.

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

And member states of the European Union are considering similar action.

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

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