Protestors in Poland demand the release of a Belarusian dissident who was arrested after the government diverted his Lithuania-bound flight

Lauren FriasMay 25, 2021, 08:22 IST

Belarusians living in Poland and Poles supporting them hold up a placard reading 'Freedom to Roman Protasevich' during a demonstration in front of the European Commission office in Warsaw on May 24, 2021.Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images

Protestors gathered in Warsaw, Poland, to demand the release of Belarusian dissident Roman Protasevich.
Protasevich, a vocal critic of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was taken into custody after the government diverted his Lithuania-bound flight to Minsk.
His arrest also drew international outrage as other world leaders said Belarus should be held accountable.

Residents in Poland as well as Belarusians living in the country joined together to protest the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich on Monday. Activists condemned the arrest after Belarus authorities grounded the plane citing a bogus security threat.

Belarusians living in Poland and Poles supporting them take part in a demonstration in front of European Commission office in Warsaw on May 24, 2021. Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images

Residents in Poland as well as Belarusians living in the country joined together to protest the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich on Monday. Activists condemned the arrest after Belarus authorities grounded the plane citing a bogus security threat.

Protasevich, a vocal critic of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was taken into custody after the Belarusian government forced his Lithuania-bound flight to land in Minsk.

A protester holds up a sign reading "Free Roman Pratasevich" (sic) during a demonstration in front of the European Commission office in Warsaw on May 24, 2021. Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images

Protasevich, a vocal critic of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was taken into custody after the Belarusian government forced his Lithuania-bound flight to land in Minsk.

Pilots on flight FR4978 were ordered to "divert to the nearest airport," citing a potential bomb threat aboard the plane. Belarusian state media reported it was Lukashenko who gave an "unequivocal order" to ground the jet.

People hold banners during a protest against the detention of the Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich in front of the European Commission representative office on May 24, 2021, in Warsaw, Poland. Omar Marques/Getty Images

Pilots on flight FR4978 were ordered to "divert to the nearest airport," citing a potential bomb threat aboard the plane. Belarusian state media reported it was Lukashenko who gave an "unequivocal order" to ground the jet.

Protestors used paper airplanes as a visual prop to symbolize the aircraft being diverted to Minsk.

Belarusians hang paper aircraft during a protest against the detention of dissident journalist Roman Protasevich in front of the European Commission representative office on May 24, 2021, in Warsaw, Poland. Omar Marques/Getty Images

Protasevich's arrest drew international outrage as EU leaders condemned the forced grounding of the flight and called for the "immediate release" of Protasevich and his partner, Sofia Sapega, who was also escorted off the flight.

A protester holds a sign that says "I'm gravely concerned" during a protest in support of the release of Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich in front of the European Commission representative office on May 24, 2021 in Warsaw, Poland. Omar Marques/Getty Images

Protasevich's arrest drew international outrage as EU leaders condemned the forced grounding of the flight and called for the "immediate release" of Protasevich and his partner, Sofia Sapega, who was also escorted off the flight.

The European Union took action to isolate Belarus on Monday, ordering all EU-based airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace. The EU also banned Belarusian airlines from occupying the bloc's airspace and using its airports.

A demonstrator holds up a paper plane that says "Free Belarus" and "Free Roman Protasevich" during a demonstration in Warsaw, May 24, 2021. Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images

The European Union took action to isolate Belarus on Monday, ordering all EU-based airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace. The EU also banned Belarusian airlines from occupying the bloc's airspace and using its airports.

The EU's move to sever Belarus air ties isn't the first time the bloc cracked down on the Belarusian government. Late last year, the EU imposed sanctions on several Belarusian officials - including President Aleksandr Lukashenko - in the wake of the contested presidential elections in August.

A woman holds a banner calling Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko a terrorist during a protest against the detention of the Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich in front of the European Commission representative office on May 24, 2021, in Warsaw, Poland. Omar Marques/Getty Images

The EU's move to sever Belarus air ties isn't the first time the bloc cracked down on the Belarusian government. Late last year, the EU imposed sanctions on several Belarusian officials - including President Aleksandr Lukashenko - in the wake of the contested presidential elections in August.

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Protestors in Poland demand the release of a Belarusian dissident who was arrested after the government diverted his Lithuania-bound flight

Residents in Poland as well as Belarusians living in the country joined together to protest the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich on Monday. Activists condemned the arrest after Belarus authorities grounded the plane citing a bogus security threat.

Protasevich, a vocal critic of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was taken into custody after the Belarusian government forced his Lithuania-bound flight to land in Minsk.

Pilots on flight FR4978 were ordered to "divert to the nearest airport," citing a potential bomb threat aboard the plane. Belarusian state media reported it was Lukashenko who gave an "unequivocal order" to ground the jet.

Protestors used paper airplanes as a visual prop to symbolize the aircraft being diverted to Minsk.

Protasevich's arrest drew international outrage as EU leaders condemned the forced grounding of the flight and called for the "immediate release" of Protasevich and his partner, Sofia Sapega, who was also escorted off the flight.

The European Union took action to isolate Belarus on Monday, ordering all EU-based airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace. The EU also banned Belarusian airlines from occupying the bloc's airspace and using its airports.

The EU's move to sever Belarus air ties isn't the first time the bloc cracked down on the Belarusian government. Late last year, the EU imposed sanctions on several Belarusian officials - including President Aleksandr Lukashenko - in the wake of the contested presidential elections in August.