NATO backs independent probe into Belarus flight diversion

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – NATO envoys on Wednesday expressed support for an independent investigation into the forced landing of a passenger flight in Belarus.

In a statement, the North Atlantic Council (NAC) – the alliance’s main political decision-making body composed of NATO ambassadors – condemned Sunday’s forced diversion of the Ryanair flight to the Belarusian capital Minsk.

“This unacceptable act seriously violated the norms governing civil aviation and endangered the lives of the passengers and crew,” read the statement.

The NAC voiced support for an urgent independent investigation, with the participation of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The Ryanair flight heading from Greece to Lithuania was diverted to Belarus on the pretext of a bomb threat.

A Belarusian MiG-29 fighter jet was scrambled to escort the plane to the Minsk airport, where authorities detained Roman Protasevich, a journalist they said was wanted for involvement in a “terrorist incident,” and his companion Sofia Sapega.

The NATO envoys also called for their immediate and unconditional release.

“The detention of Mr. Protasevich is an affront to the principles of political dissent and freedom of the press,” the NAC said, calling on Belarus to respect international law and human rights.

Speaking at a press conference during his visit to Portugal on Wednesday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the incident amounted “to state hijacking, put at risk a large number of citizens of Allied countries, and is a blatant attack by the Minsk regime on fundamental democratic rights and independent media.”

Protasevich is the co-founder of social media news channel Nexta, which played a major role in mass protests in Belarus last summer demanding the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko after his victory in the Aug. 9 elections.