Poland charges Belarus officials for diverting plane in 2021
- Three Belarusian officials have been charged for diverting a Ryanair flight in May 2021 to arrest a dissident.
- The diversion was executed under the false claim of a bomb threat, violating the freedom of 132 passengers.
- The incident has led to international condemnation and sanctions against Belarus, highlighting ongoing political tensions.
On May 23, 2021, a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius was diverted to Minsk under false pretenses of a bomb threat, orchestrated by three Belarusian officials. The plane was approximately 10 kilometers from the Lithuanian border when Belarusian air traffic control instructed the pilots to change course. This diversion was aimed at capturing Raman Pratasevich, a dissident blogger who had been living in exile in Lithuania. Upon landing, Pratasevich was arrested, while the other passengers were allowed to continue their journey. Polish prosecutors have now charged the three officials involved: Leonid C., Yevgenii T., and Andrei A.M., for violating the freedom of 132 individuals on board. The charges stem from evidence including cockpit recordings, flight data, and testimonies from pilots and witnesses. Additionally, secretly recorded conversations from the Minsk control tower revealed instructions to divert the flight, further implicating the officials. The incident has been condemned by Western nations, which equated the diversion to hijacking, leading to significant sanctions against Belarus and its president, Alexander Lukashenko. The charges against the officials highlight the ongoing tensions between Belarus and neighboring countries, particularly regarding human rights and political dissent. If apprehended and brought to trial in Poland, the officials could face up to five years in prison. The case underscores the international community's response to Belarus's actions and the broader implications for political dissidents in the region.