Why did Belarus divert the plane?

Belarus has claimed the flight was diverted because of an emailed bomb threat from Hamas, but the Palestinian militant group denies any involvement. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko told parliament the email originated in Switzerland.

What happened to the Ryanair flight over Belarus?

The captain and five crew of Ryanair flight FR4978 from Athens to Vilnius were put under armed guard in Minsk after diverting the plane for a fake bomb threat – apparently staged to allow the Belarus government to capture an opposition journalist among the 126 passengers.

When was the Belarus incident?

Ryanair Flight 4978

Is there a death penalty in Belarus?

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Belarus. As of 2021, Belarus is the only country in Europe that continues to carry out the death penalty.

What happened on the Belarus flight?

A Belarusian MiG-29 jet was scrambled to escort the plane, which landed at 10:16 GMT (13:16 local time). Leading opposition figure Pavel Latushko alleged Belarus had threatened to shoot down the plane, but that has not been verified.

What happened Belarus plane?

According to an unverified transcript from the Belarusian transport ministry, air traffic controllers told the pilot at 09:30 GMT “you have [a] bomb on board and it can be activated over Vilnius”. A Belarusian MiG-29 jet was scrambled to escort the plane, which landed at 10:16 GMT (13:16 local time).

What happened with Belarus flight?

Belarus has claimed the flight was diverted because of an emailed bomb threat from Hamas, but the Palestinian militant group denies any involvement. Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary, meanwhile, described the Belarusian move as “a case of state-sponsored hijacking”.

Was Belarus part of the Soviet Union?

Occupied by Nazi Germany, Belarus was retaken by Stalin’s Russia in 1944 and remained under Soviet control until declaring its sovereignty on July 27, 1990 and independence from the Soviet Union on August 25, 1991. It has been run by authoritarian PresidentAlexander Lukashenko since 1994.

Why do planes avoid Belarus airspace?

Belarus faces sanctions over ‘state piracy’ as some airlines to avoid its air space. Several airlines said on Monday they would avoid Belarusian air space after it intercepted a Ryanair jetliner to arrest a dissident journalist.

How does Belarus execute?

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Belarus. At least four executions were carried out in the country in 2018. As of 2021, Belarus is the only country in Europe that continues to carry out the death penalty. Executions are carried out by a single shot to the back of the head.

Why was a US Airlines flight diverted to Belarus?

A commercial flight was diverted to Belarus after a phony bomb threat that international leaders are calling a ploy to arrest a journalist critical of the country’s president.

Did Belarus’s Lukashenka fake a bomb threat?

The US ambassador to Belarus, Julie Fisher, tweeted that it was “abhorrent” Mr Lukashenko had faked a bomb threat and sent fighter jets to arrest a journalist. Lukashenka and his regime today showed again its contempt for international community and its citizens.

Did Belarus hijack a Ryanair plane and arrest opposition blogger?

Belarus has been accused of hijacking a European jetliner and engaging in an act of state terrorism when it forced a Ryanair flight to perform an emergency landing in Minsk after a bomb threat and arrested an opposition blogger critical of authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko.

Why is the US demanding the release of Bel Belarus journalist?

Belarus had notified the airline of a bomb threat but no explosives were found, according to the AP. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration is demanding the journalist’s release and calling for an international investigation.