Ryanair forced diversion to Minsk to Kidnap Opposition Journalist

[Jenya]

The United States and Western European members of the UN Security Council called Wednesday for the International Civil Aviation Organization to urgently investigate Belarus' forced diversion of a commercial flight to Minsk between Greece and Lithuania to arrest an opposition journalist on board.
"These acts are a blatant attack on international civilian aviation safety and on European security and show flagrant disregard for international law"

Belarus kidnapping sets a dangerous global precedent

Ryanair’s statement fails to mention that 6 people didn’t continue on to Vilnius: Roman Protasevich, the Belarusian opposition journalist and his girlfriend who were detained, and four mysterious Russians who decided to end their trip on Minsk. Putin's help to his Belorussian small copy accepted!

 

[jb747]

Hideous behaviour. I’m not too sure that either he, or Putin will care at all about the EU reaction….

 

[Jenya]

Hideous behaviour. I’m not too sure that either he, or Putin will care at all about the EU reaction….

For Belarus, a Brazen Plane Interception Begins to Carry a Cost

 

[Quickstatus]

I see it as a political play to extract some behind the scenes concessions from Biden-Harris. (not actually sure who is POTUS)

 

[jakeseven7]

I see it as a political play to extract some behind the scenes concessions from Biden-Harris. (not actually sure who is POTUS)

Its Joe Biden.....

 

[tgh]

I guess it is too much to hope that the EU shows some "spine" , even if it is a very serious breach of western mores

 

[drron]

Well the EU is banning any Belarus plane from using it's airspace.

Wow: Belavia Cancels Flights For Months

Following new sanctions from the European Union, Belavia Belarusian Airlines is canceling most European routes for over five months.

onemileatatime.com

 

[Mattg]

@jb747 I'm curious to know what you would have done as pilot if you were put in that situation. Do you think there would be any realistic possibility to ignore the Belarus ATC advice/fighter jets and continue flying into Lithuanian airspace?

 

[Jenya]

@jb747 I'm curious to know what you would have done as pilot if you were put in that situation. Do you think there would be any realistic possibility to ignore the Belarus ATC advice/fighter jets and continue flying into Lithuanian airspace?

Especially if you already much closer to your destination - Vilnus, then to Minsk...

 

[jb747]

You can’t ignore them. The fighter is the same as having a loaded gun pointed at you…you’ll do what you’re told.

I don’t know that I‘d be in all that much of a hurry to land with a bomb threat though, pressure switches are real.