Roman Protasevich Pleaded With Ryanair Crew Before Being Detained

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Roman Protasevich pleaded with cabin crew not to land Flight 4978 in Minsk, according to Politico.  
Passengers said the flight was "just minutes" from its destination when the pilot announced an emergency landing.
Protasevich told passengers he was "facing the death penalty."
Roman Protasevich, the Belarusian journalist and activist who was detained in Minsk on Sunday, pleaded with cabin crew not to ground the Athens-Vilnius flight in the Belarus capital, out of fear for his life, according to Politico. 
Belarusian authorities on Sunday sent a fighter jet to divert the Ryanair plane, citing a bogus bomb threat. When the passenger plane was forced to land in Minsk, police officers boarded the jet and arrested Protasevich and his girlfriend, sparking international outrage. 

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