SECOND TAKE
LA TIMES: Action against Belarus over hijacking is laudable
US and EU have responded with outrage after arrest of activist journalist on board
The US and the EU have responded with immediate and appropriate outrage to the apparent hijacking of an aircraft by the authoritarian government of Belarus so that a dissident, activist journalist on board could be arrested. What’s particularly welcome is that the tough words have been accompanied by action.
On Sunday a commercial flight from Athens to Vilnius, Lithuania, was intercepted by a Belarusian fighter jet, apparently on the orders of the country’s longtime president, Alexander Lukashenko. The ostensible cause was a supposed bomb threat, but the real objective seems to have been the arrest of Raman Pratasevich, who was taken into custody after the aircraft landed in the capital city of Belarus, Minsk. (No bomb was found.)..
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.