Belarus: EU leaders condemn forced landing of Ryanair flight and detention of journalist Raman Pratasevich

The European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula vor der Leyen have strongly condemned the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk, Belarus, on 23 May 2021, and the reported detention by Belarusian authorities of journalist Raman Pratasevich.

“I call on Belarus authorities to immediately release the detained passenger and to fully guarantee his rights,” says a communiqué of European Council President Charles Michel, released the same day.

“The outrageous and illegal behaviour of the regime in Belarus will have consequences,” Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter. “Those responsible for the Ryanair hijacking must be sanctioned.”

EU leaders will discuss the unprecedented incident and action to take during the European Council, on 24 May.

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Charles Michel communiqué

Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter