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Ryanair machine after the forced landing at Minsk airport
Photo: PETRAS MALUKAS / AFP
After the Ryanair plane intercepted in Belarus landed in Vilnius, the Lithuanian authorities started an investigation. According to the Prosecutor General in Vilnius, a preliminary investigation into the hijacking of an airplane for terrorist purposes and the violation of international treaties has been launched. It will be carried out by the criminal police of the Baltic EU and NATO country. The passengers and crew of the aircraft that landed in Vilnius at 9:25 p.m. local time (8:25 p.m. CEST) with a delay of more than eight hours should also be interviewed.
"We also expect them to work with the law enforcement agencies and provide our officers with all the information they know," said Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, according to the BNS agency, after meeting the passengers at the Vilnius airport.
"We hope people can go home as soon as possible tonight because we understand that everyone is tired."
The Lithuanian government strongly condemned the diversion of the machine and spoke of an "act of state terrorism" directed against the security of the citizens of the EU and other countries.
Together with international partners, Vilnius will work to block Belarusian airspace for international flights.
"Strong Transatlantic Response"
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said he had spoken to US Deputy Secretary of State Philip Reeker about the incident.
It was discussed about "that the unprecedented event must find a strong transatlantic reaction."
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously spoken of a "hijacking" of the machine by Belarus, which must be sanctioned.
The authorities in authoritarian Belarus had previously diverted a plane en route from Athens to Vilnius and forced it to land in the capital Minsk. On board the passenger plane of the airline Ryanair, among the more than 100 passengers was also the blogger Roman Protasewitsch, who was internationally sought after by the Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. According to the Wesna Human Rights Center, he was arrested on Sunday in Minsk.
The incident and possible sanctions against Belarus are to be discussed on Monday at an already planned EU special summit.
The EU has already imposed sanctions on Belarus in connection with the controversial re-election of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his tough crackdown on government opponents.
Further measures against high-ranking representatives from Belarus were also being planned.
According to an EU representative on Sunday evening, the Belarusian airline Belavia could now also be banned from landing at airports in the EU and all transit traffic from Belarus to the EU could be suspended.
In addition, flights by EU airlines via Belarus could be suspended.
Paris appoints ambassadors
France has already summoned the Belarusian ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The French news agency AFP reported on Sunday evening, citing the Paris Foreign Office.
French citizens were also on board the plane - a number was not given.
Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had previously condemned the rerouting of the flight of the airline Ryanair as unacceptable via Twitter.
"A resolute and cohesive response from the Europeans is essential," demanded France's chief diplomat.
The US government has also condemned the events.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on Sunday evening (local time) on Twitter with a view to the Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko that it had been a "brazen and shocking act by the Lukashenko regime".
»We are calling for an international investigation and are coordinating the next steps with our partners.
The United States stands by the people of Belarus. "
cop / dpa / Reuters
