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Boris Johnson blasts Belarus for ‘outrageous’ hijacking of commercial flight that led to arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich – as PM hosts Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg in London
- The Prime Minister today demanded the release of Roman Protasevich, 26
- Critic was arrested after flight intercepted by a fighter jet and diverted to Minsk
- He later appeared in a regime video and appeared to have been beaten up
Boris Johnson lashed out at Belarus for its ‘outrageous’ state hijacking of a Ryanair flight that led to the arrest of a journalist critical of the regime of President Lukashenko.
The Prime Minister today demanded the release of Roman Protasevich, 26, who was hauled off the flight between Greece to Lithuania after it was was intercepted by a Belarusian fighter jet and diverted to Minsk.
He spoke after meeting Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at No10.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Johnson said:Â ‘What has happened recently with the appalling, outrageous incident of the hijacking over Belarus, I think Nato members will be wanting to stand together in protest over what happened and call for the release of Roman Protasevich and indeed his girlfriend from captivity.’
The Prime Minister today demanded the release of Roman Protasevich, 26, who was hauled off the flight between Greece to Lithuania after it was was intercepted by a Belarusian fighter jet and diverted to Minsk.
He spoke after meeting Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at No10.
The incident has drawn international condemnation but Lukashenko has since posed with his ally Vladimir Putin, in a defiant meeting at the Russian autocrat’s holiday home.
Mr Stoltenberg said that it is now key that sanctions agreed against Belarus are ‘fully implemented’ as he called the actions of Minsk ‘absolutely unacceptable’.
He added that said Nato had ‘agreed a very strong statement’ but that individual members were discussing going further than sanctions already agreed.
After touching down in the Belarusian capital on May 23, Mr Protasevich and Russian girlfriend Sofia Sapega were bundled into an SUV by security agents and driven away.
He was arrested and, in a video released by Belarusian authorities on Monday last week, appeared to admit he was involved in organising mass protests in Minsk last year.
Mr Johnson has previously warned Lukashenko the incident ‘have consequences’.
Last week Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said  elarusian airlines will be banned from entering UK airspace ‘unless specifically authorised’.
The incident has drawn international condemnation but Lukashenko has since posed with his ally Vladimir Putin, in a defiant meeting at the Russian autocrat’s holiday home.
In response to the hijacking, EU leaders have agreed new sanctions on Belarus including cutting off air travel to or from the country -Â with European Council president Charles Michel saying that Minsk is playing ‘Russian roulette with the lives of innocent civilians’.Â
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