DISINFO: Belarus defended Europe against a terror attack, allowing the Ryanair plan to land at Minsk
SUMMARY
Belarus defended Europe. When a bomb was reported on board the Ryanair plane, the crew contacted Minsk and requested urgent landing, while Vilnius was much closer. President Lukashenka immediately gave the order to redirect the aircraft and receive it at Minsk. The priority in this situation was the lives and safety of the passengers. /.../ No matter what the political situation is, unlike our Western neighbours, Belarus cannot be called a country that refuses help in an urgency.
RESPONSE
Ryanair flight FR4978 was intercepted by military jets while en route from Athens to Vilnius. Minsk air control reported a bomb threat and requested the aircraft divert to Minsk. A Belarus Air Force MiG-29 forced the plane to divert to Minsk, while Vilnius airport was much closer.
At Minsk airport, a Belarusian opposition journalist, wanted in Belarus for unfounded charges of extremism, was arrested. His companion was detained as well. The plane was kept at the airport for seven hours before allowed to continue to Vilnius.
As a consequence the European Council demanded immediate release of Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega and called on the International Civil Aviation Organization to investigate the incident. Further individual and economic sanctions are planned, as well as banning overflight of EU airspace by Belarusian airlines. Multiple airlines are avoiding Belarus airspace.
The incident is investigated as an act of terrorism by Lithuanian authorities.