Following the arrest of Roman Protasevich, a major critic of Belarusian authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, the US has slapped the country with severe sanctions including a ban on the use of the 27-nation bloc’s airspace and airports.
US President Joe Biden condemned Belarus for its actions saying that he had asked his advisers to give him options on how best to hold those responsible to account.
This comes amid fury for the forced diversion of a passenger jet flying between two EU countries in order to arrest opposition journalist, Protasevich.
The EU is in full support as they have described the incident as a “brazen hijacking” of an Irish carrier plane flying from Greece to Lithuania and have also decided to slap individual sanctions on officials linked to the operation.
EU leaders have called on the International Civil Aviation Organization to start an investigation into what some have called “state terrorism”.
In a video that has been circulated, 26 year old Protasevich is seen in a black hoodie with a pack of cigarettes by his side admitting to charges of having organised mass unrest in the city of Minsk, a statement immediately dismissed by his allies as having been made under duress.
He also admitted to being physically fine and being treated with as much respect and care as was due, even though dark marks are visible on his forehead.
Minsk has rejected rumours on social media that Protasevich had been hospitalised and said authorities had no information concerning any health problems.
National security adviser to the United States, Jake Sullivan said on behalf of the United States had “strong support for the demands of the Belarusian people for democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms”.
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