(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 24 - On the recommendation of Minister Luigi DiMaio, Undersecretary Benedetto Della Vedova summoned the Affairs Officer of the Republic of Belarus to the Farnesina in relation to the very serious episode of the hijacking of the Athens-Vilnius commercial flight operated by Ryanair, which involved the temporary kidnapping of 149 passengers.
The undersecretary, a note reads, expressed the strongest condemnation for an inadmissible act, which constitutes a very serious violation of international aviation safety standards and which Belarus will be called to respond to. In this regard, Italy has already begun to discuss with its partners at today's meeting of the European Council the adoption of response measures proportionate to the gravity of the incident. Similar initiatives are being undertaken multilateral establishments.
Furthermore, Della Vedova asked for the immediate release of Mr Roman Protasevich and his partner: Italy will continue to spare no efforts to obtain the immediate release of all political prisoners. (HANDLE).