In an updated statement, Ryanair said:
“Ryanair condemns the unlawful actions of the Belarusian authorities who diverted Ryanair flight FR4978 to Minsk, which was an act of aviation piracy.
“This is now being dealt with by EU safety and security agencies & NATO. Ryanair is full cooperating with them”
The EU followed the UK in banning Belarusian aircraft from European airspace and is imposing sanctions on individuals and business in Belarus.
The move, which was clearly set up in order to arrest the journalist, has drawn outrage from across the western world.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that Belarus’s act was