European countries, the United States and the United Nations have condemned Belarus after a Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania was diverted and made to land in Belarus over a bomb threat to arrest a journalist.

Belarus faces international condemnation over Ryanair flight 'hijacking' to detain journalist

Global leaders have condemned Belarus' diversion of the Ryanair flight and the detention of a journalist. The move has provoked a furious outcry from EU leaders who described it as a 'hijacking' and an act of 'state terrorism'. EU has also said to discuss toughening of its existing sanctions against Belarus at a pre-planned summit today.

EU leaders call for sanctions against Belarus over Ryanair plane 'hijacking', arrest of journalist

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ordered a Ryanair flight heading for Lithuania carrying a young opposition blogger to land in Belarus on Sunday and detained him upon arrival, prompting Lithuania to call for a NATO response.

Belarus President forces Ryanair flight carrying prominent opposition journalists to land in Minsk

Belarusian authorities scrambled a fighter jet and flagged what turned out to be a false bomb alert to force a Ryanair plane to land on Sunday and then, detained an opposition-minded journalist, who was on board, drawing condemnation from Europe and the United States.

Belarus forces airliner to land and arrests blogger opposed to president, sparking US, European outrage 

Belarusian opposition Telegram channel Nexta said Sunday its former editor and exiled opposition activist Roman Protasevich had been detained in Minsk after his flight made an emergency landing under orders from President Alexander Lukashenko.

Exiled activist held at Belarus airport: Opposition

Belarus has shut country's largest independent news outlet after raid on its offices. This is being seen as a widening crackdown in the wake of historic opposition protests last year.

Belarus shuts independent news site after raids on offices

Ten Belarusians have filed a criminal complaint in Germany against President Alexander Lukashenko and members of his regime for crimes against humanity during a brutal post-election crackdown, lawyers representing them said Wednesday.

Belarusians file case in Germany against Lukashenko regime

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he will sign a decree allowing the transfer of presidential power to the security council if he were to become unable to perform his duties, the state Belta news agency reported on Saturday.

Lukashenko to amend emergency transfer of presidential power: Report 

The long-running unrest in Belarus has spilled over into this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, with organizers ejecting the country from the competition for songs found to have repeatedly violated rules barring political content.

Eurovision song contest disqualifies Belarus over political lyrics

Belarus has been rejected from participating in this year's Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands, with Minsk denouncing the decision as "politically motivated.

Belarus blasts Eurovision ban as 'politically motivated'

The United Nations rights chief decried Thursday the systematic repression of demonstrations in Belarus, voicing alarm at recent legislative moves enabling harsher penalties for peaceful protesters and the media.

'Systematic crackdown' ongoing in Belarus: UN rights chief

Skii-lful evening: Putin and Lukashenko go skiing to discuss important matters

A court in Belarus has sentenced a pair of young television journalists to two years in prison for covering a protest last year. Katerina Bakhvalova, 27, and Daria Chultsova, 23, however, stood defiant and flashed V for victory signs as they smiled and blew kisses to the courtroom ahead of the verdict.

Belarus jails journalists for two years for covering protests

Alexander Lukashenko, the embattled Belarusian president who has ruled the country for 27 years, has said that his country has never had any political prisoners.

No political prisoners in Belarus: Alexander Lukashenko

Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko has denounced six months of a massive protest against his rule as a foreign directed rebellion.

Belarus: President Lukashenko vows to defeat 'foreign-backed rebellion'

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday said that the country had defeated a foreign "blitzkrieg" after massive protests and rallies that were held across the country to push the strongman out of power after decades-long rule.

Foreign 'blitzkrieg' on Belarus failed: Alexander Lukashenko

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Belarus on Sunday as they sought to keep the pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko over his contested re-election.

Thousands in Belarus protest Lukashenko's rule

Lithuanian Envoy to India Julius Pranevicius has said that his country continues to stand with the people of Belarus and that they "understand each other very well, and we feel not just neighbours but more like brothers sometimes".

'Not just neighbours, but brothers': Lithuanian envoy on ties with Belarus amid political turmoil

The IOC banned two other officials from the NOC, including Lukashenko’s son, Viktor, who is the first vice president of the national Olympic body.

IOC bans Belarus president Lukashenko from Olympic Games

Belarus, a country of 9.5 million that Russia sees as a security buffer against NATO, has been rocked by mass protests since an Aug. 9 presidential election which Lukashenko said he won.

Thousands of anti-Lukashenko protesters march in Belarus

Thousands of protesters marched in Belarus capital Minsk and elsewhere on Sunday as protests continued against President Alexander Lukashenko. Police detained more than 300 people.

Belarus: Thousands of protesters march, demand Lukashenko's resignation

United Nations on Friday expressed its concern over Human Rights conditions in Belarus. The country has been roiled with protests in number of cities. UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said that the human rights situation in Belarus has seen a "continued deterioration" in recent weeks.

Belarus: UN worried about 'continued deterioration' of human rights conditions

Belarus has been marred by anti-government protests for months. Now, protesters have found a new way to outsmart the administration to continue protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.

Anti-Lukashenko protesters in Belarus try out new strategy to outsmart authorities

The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Friday that he would be willing to step down from his position of power if a new constitution is adopted.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to resign if new constitution is adopted

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