What the International Civil Aviation Organization Council report says about the Ryanair flight
The report of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization about her flight Ryanair which was forced to land in Minsk in May 2021, confirms what the EU had already proven – that the Belarusian regime orchestrated the hijacking of a civilian airliner for the sole purpose of arresting an opposition journalist, Roman Protasevic, and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega , in flagrant violation of international aviation law and a threat to the safety and security of international civil aviation. This is what EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Transport Commissioner Adina Valean said in a statement.
The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization concluded earlier this week that the Government of Belarus committed an act of unlawful interference in violation of international aviation law in relation to the forced landing of Ryanair flight FR4978 in Minsk on 23 May 2021.
They add that the conviction was based on a detailed and thorough fact-finding report prepared by the ICAO Secretariat, which included an interview and audio recordings by its air traffic controller Minsk who was involved in the incident. The report confirms that the bomb threat against Ryanair flight FR4978 was deliberately false, that senior Belarusian government officials were involved and instructed an emergency landing in Minsk, and that the incident compromised the safety of the flight and its passengers.
On 4 June 2021, the EU and its Member States, together with other international partners, took action in response to this serious and irresponsible act by banning its air carriers from Belarus transit through European airspace and European airports. On 21 June 2021, the EU approved sanctions against the persons and entities involved in the hijacking of the Ryanair aircraft. In this context, a substantial package of sectoral measures was also approved on 24 June 2021.
THE EU welcomes the fact that the report will be circulated to all ICAO Member States and that Belarus’ violations of the Chicago Convention will be reported to the ICAO Assembly at its upcoming 41st session (27 September – 7 October 2022). The report will also be forwarded to the United Nations Secretary-General for appropriate further action.
In the meantime, the EU continues its decisive action in support of democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and increasing support for the people of Belarus and civil society. We also deplore the continued flagrant disregard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Belarusian people. The ongoing repression must stop and all political prisoners must be released immediately and unconditionally, Borel and Valean conclude.
RES-EMP
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