EU foreign policy chief calls for immediate release of Belarussian journalist

BRUSSELS

The EU foreign policy chief on Monday urged the immediate release of a Belarusian journalist detained after the forced landing of his flight.

“This is yet another blatant attempt by the Belarusian authorities to silence all opposition voices,” Josep Borrell wrote in a statement.

Belarusian authorities made an “inadmissible step” by forcing a civilian plane to make an emergency landing so they could arrest an opposition activist, he said.

Borrell urged for Protasevich’s immediate release as well as an investigation to determine if there had been any breach of international aviation rules.

“In carrying out this coercive act, the Belarusian authorities have jeopardized the safety of passengers and crew,” he pointed out.

EU leaders will discuss the incident at their summit starting on Monday evening.

On Sunday, EU top officials Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen condemned the forced diversion and arrest of the opposition journalist.

On Sunday, citing a “bomb threat,” a Belarusian MIG-29 fighter jet forced a Ryanair plane passing through Belarus’ airspace to land, and then detained passenger Protasevich, a journalist wanted for his involvement in "terrorist incidents."

Protasevich is the founder of the social media news channel NEXTA, which played a major role in protests last summer demanding the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko after the Aug. 9 elections.

The results of the presidential poll were widely contested by the Belarusian opposition and the majority of the international community, including the US and European governments.

The European Union did not recognize the results and also condemned the violence against protesters.

Since October, the bloc has imposed sanctions against 88 individuals, including Lukasehnko and seven entities.