Ryanair ‘hijacking’ news: Arrested journalist makes video statement as EU to sanction Belarus

Follow here for the latest developments

Related video: Reactions after Belarus diverts flight and arrests activist

Belarusian dissident journalist Roman Protasevich has made a video statement following his arrest on Sunday, claiming he is in good health and being treated well by authorities.

In the clip, which has been said to bear “all the hallmarks of a forced confession”, Mr Protasevich says he is cooperating with state investigators after he was arrested when a Ryanair passenger jet was forced to land in Minsk.

It came after the UK government told airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace, as foreign secretary Dominic Raab said that the incident could be “an assault on international law”.

Meanwhile, EU leaders have agreed on new sanctions against Belarus following the incident, including a ban on the use of EU airspace and airports, as they called for Mr Protasevich’s immediate release.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary is among those who have accused Belarus of “piracy” and alleged that Belarusian KGB agents may have been onboard the plane.

Read more:

• Lukashenko critic held after Ryanair flight diverted to Belarus in ‘attack on democracy’
• Simon Calder: Ryanair ‘hijack’ could have serious consequences for Belarus
• Who is Roman Protasevich, the blogger at the centre of the Belarus plane hijack?

Key Points

• Belarusian journalist makes video statement following arrest
• UK tells airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace
• EU leaders agree on new sanctions against Belarus, including ban on EU airspace
• Reported version of events represents ‘an assault on international law’, Raab says
• ‘High probability’ Protasevich being tortured, opposition leader says
• Ryanair boss says KGB agents may have been onboard, condemns ‘piracy'
• 23-year-old student also detained in Minsk, university says

[24 May 2021 20:44 · Conrad Duncan]

Dutch airline KLM to temporarily halt flights over Belarus, report says

The Dutch flag carrier airline KLM will temporarily halt flights over Belarus following the arrest of journalist Roman Prostasevich, according to a report.

Dutch news agency ANP reported the measure shortly after the country’s prime minister Mark Rutte appealed to airlines in Europe to avoid Belarusian airspace.

[24 May 2021 20:57 · Conrad Duncan]

‘High probability’ Roman Protasevich is being tortured, Belarus opposition leader says

There is a “high probability” that the 26-year-old journalist detained in Belarus after a plane hijacking is being tortured, the country’s opposition leader has warned.

Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, who fled the country last summer, told a press conference on Monday that she feared for Roman Protasevich’s life.

Our reporter, Rory Sullivan, has the full story below:

[24 May 2021 21:08 · Conrad Duncan]

EU leaders agree on new sanctions against Belarus

European Union leaders have agreed on new sanctions against Belarus following the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich, including a ban on the use of EU airspace and airports.

The European Council has also called for the two people detained by Belarusian authorities to be immediately released and for an urgent investigation into the “unprecedented and unacceptable” incident.

The decisions made at the summit will be turned into action as soon as legal proceedings allow.

[24 May 2021 21:32 · Conrad Duncan]

Arrested journalist Roman Protasevich’s video statement shared earlier this evening can be found below:

[24 May 2021 21:49 · Conrad Duncan]

‘Whatever the west throws at him, Lukashenko will continue to think he’s invincible’

Belarus’ authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko appears to be prepared to risk confrontation with the rest of Europe over the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich, according to our Moscow correspondent Oliver Carroll.

Oliver writes:

“Since facing down an unexpected challenge from the streets after apparently losing presidential elections last August, Mr Lukashenko has largely removed the immediate threat to his rule. For that he has Vladimir Putin’s military and cash guarantees to thank. Europe, which supported the opposition, has on the contrary been left with very few levers to pull.”

You can find his full piece below:

[24 May 2021 22:06 · Conrad Duncan]

Lukashenko signs law to restrict news media freedom in Belarus

Belarus’ authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko has signed a new law to sharply restrict news media activities, potentially allowing them to be shut down without a court hearing.

Under the law, news media are banned from making live reports on unauthorised mass gatherings and the Information Ministry can order a media outlet’s closure without the need for a court decision.

Other rules include prohibiting publication of the results of opinion polls that are not authorised by the government.

In response to the restrictions, Andrei Bastunets, president of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, said: “This is the most repressive media law in Europe, which turns the work of journalists in Belarus into a minefield.”

[24 May 2021 22:09 · Conrad Duncan]

You can find more details below on journalist Roman Protasevich’s video statement which was shared earlier today:

[24 May 2021 22:11 · Conrad Duncan]

That’s all from The Independent’s live coverage on Belarus today - we’ll be back with more updates tomorrow.

[24 May 2021 22:14 · Conrad Duncan]