Ryanair CEO says Belarus aircraft grounding was ‘state-sponsored piracy’

LONDON — Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary on Monday stated the choice by Belarusian authorities to divert a aircraft flying over its territory and the following arrest of a journalist on board constituted “state-sponsored piracy,” including he believed Belarusian KGB operatives have been touring on the aircraft.

“This was a case of state-sponsored hijacking … state-sponsored piracy,” O’Leary informed Irish Newstalk radio, including he believed the incident was doubtless the primary of its type for a European airline.

“It seems the intent of the authorities was to take away a journalist and his touring companion … we imagine there have been some KGB brokers offloaded on the airport as nicely,” he stated.

Belarus on Sunday ordered its army to scramble a fighter jet to power a Lithuania-bound Ryanair aircraft to alter course and land in its capital metropolis, citing a possible safety menace on board. State media in Belarus stated President Alexander Lukashenko had personally given the order.

CNBC contacted the Belarusian overseas ministry for remark Monday however is but to obtain a reply.

Police arrested political activist and blogger Roman Protasevich, 26, when passengers disembarked. It was reported Protasevich’s girlfriend Sofya Sapega, a 23-year-old Russian citizen learning on the European Humanities College in Lithuania, was additionally detained.

European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen stated by way of Twitter on Sunday that the “outrageous and unlawful behaviour of the regime in Belarus may have penalties,” including these accountable “have to be sanctioned.”

The European Union has additionally known as for the quick launch of Protasevich and stated it will focus on the suitable motion to take.

The U.S. echoed requires the quick launch of Protasevich and stated it condemned the “compelled diversion” of the flight.