Estonian PM: Intl investigation must be launched into flight diversion by Belarus

TALLINN - Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that an international investigation must be launched into the diversion of a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius and the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich by Belarusian authorities.

Belarusian opposition activist and blogger Roman Protasevich, 26, was onboard the Ryanair FR4978 flight with 170 other passengers traveling between Greece and Lithuania and was arrested upon landing in Minsk.

"Absolutely inexplicable and shocking reports from Belarus about detaining Roman Protasevich and forcing the Ryanair plane to land," the prime minister wrote on social media on Sunday.

"All passengers should be immediately released and a thorough international investigation should follow," she added.

Kallas said that this is not just a threat to international civil aviation, but a state-initiated abduction that must have consequences. "Tomorrow, we will discuss the incident with the leaders of the European Union at a Council meeting," the Prime Minister said on Sunday.