Thread by @France24_en

The #EU 🇪🇺 has imposed sanctions on #Belarus 🇧🇾, including banning airlines from using its airspace and airports, amid fury over the diversion of a plane to arrest an opposition journalist.

As @LukeShrago reports, EU leaders also demanded the release of #RamanPratasevich ⤵️

@LukeShrago 🇧🇾🇪🇺 "This is a threat against the safety of international civil aviation, which is why the 27 heads of government and state agreed very quickly, not only to condemn but also demand for the immediate release of #RomanProtasevich," said @eucopresident ⤵️

@LukeShrago @eucopresident 🇧🇾🇪🇺✈️ "#Belarus used its control over its airspace in order to perpetuate a state #hijacking, therefore the safety and security of flights through Belarus airspace can no longer be trusted," said @vonderleyen ⤵️

@LukeShrago @eucopresident @vonderleyen ✈️ @airfrance, @Finnair and @SingaporeAir became the latest carriers to suspend #flights over #Belarus 🇧🇾 on Tuesday after Minsk forced a jet to land to arrest a dissident.

#Planes already in the air will have their flight plans modified, AirFrance said ⤵️

@LukeShrago @eucopresident @vonderleyen @airfrance @Finnair @SingaporeAir #EU 🇪🇺 leaders have accused Belarusian authorities of essentially hijacking a European plane, while Minsk claimed it had reacted to secure the flight after receiving a bomb threat ✈️🇧🇾

Our #Brussels correspondent @DaveKeating reports ⤵️

🤳🇧🇾 In a video, #Protasevich said he is in good health and acknowledged having played a role in organising mass disturbances in #Minsk last year.

However, the comments were immediately dismissed by the opposition journalist's family and friends as made under duress ⤵️