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Michael O'Leary Says Ryanair Plane Forced To Land In Belarus Was 'State Sponsored Hijack'

The CEO of Ryanair, says one of its planes was subject to a 'state-sponsored hijack' when it was for...
Newsroom
Newsroom

10:36 AM - 24 May 2021



Michael O'Leary Says Ryanair P...

News

Michael O'Leary Says Ryanair Plane Forced To Land In Belarus Was 'State Sponsored Hijack'

Newsroom
Newsroom

10:36 AM - 24 May 2021



The CEO of Ryanair, says one of its planes was subject to a 'state-sponsored hijack' when it was forced to land in Belarus.

Michael O’Leary says it was scary for all on board.

The flight - which was going from Greece to Lithuania - was forced to divert to Minsk so an opposition blogger could be arrested.

State media says the aircraft was grounded following a bomb threat, but those against President Lukashenko say it was done to detain blogger Roman Protasevich.

The forced landing has been widely condemned and the European Union has called for an international investigation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says it's 'utterly unacceptable' and a strong and united response from the EU is needed as it was an Irish airline with EU citizens on board.

He says sanctions are likely to be taken against Belarus.



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Belarus Michael O'Leary Roman Protasevich Ryanair Simon Coveney

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