the protests sprung up around last summer's election when belarus's long—time leader president lukashenko claimed yet another disputed victory. since then, the regime has cracked down on dissent, arresting hundreds ofjournalists and opposition figures. the leader of the opposition was forced into exile. we are sure it was because of a direct order from lukashenko we are sure it was because of a direct orderfrom lukashenko himself because he considered roman to be his private enemy and so he made possible this operation fulfilled. it couldn't be done without direct orders for sure. the ryanairflight had been making its way between two european capitals, athens and vilnius, when it was diverted by belarussian air traffic controljust before leaving belarus's airspace, escorted by a fully armed mig 29 fighter. the head of the airline believes there were four secret service agents on board.