The US Justice Department charged four&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;officials with air piracy Thursday for last year's forced diversion of a Ryanair flight in order to arrest a dissident on board.

Two top officials of the state air navigation authority and two security officials were accused of conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy for allegedly taking part in a fake bomb scare scheme to force the aircraft to land in Minsk on May 23, 2021, so that the Belarusian government could seize opposition campaigner Roman Protasevich.

The charges, filed in federal court in New York, said Ryanair Flight 4978 from Athens to Vilnius had been carrying more than 100 passengers, including four US citizens, when&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;authorities concocted the scheme to force it to land.

Two of the four charged, Leonid Mikalaevich Churo and Oleg Kazyuchits, are director-general and deputy director-general, respectively, of the state aviation authority Belaeronavigatsia.

Two others from the state security services, their names not fully known to the FBI, were also charged.

“The FBI identified a detailed operation that subjected passengers from many countries, including the US, to the realities of terroristic threats," said FBI Assistant Director Michael Driscoll.

"Not only is what took place a reckless violation of US law, it’s extremely dangerous to the safety of everyone who flies in an airplane," he said.

"The next pilot who gets a distress call from a tower may doubt the authenticity of the emergency -- which puts lives at risk."

The diversion operation was led by state security services and succeeded in having Protasevich, 26, a journalist with the Nexta opposition media, and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, a law student at the European Humanities University in Lithuania, arrested at a Minsk airport.

Both were placed under house arrest to face various charges.

According to the US indictment, Churo and the security officials communicated the ostensible bomb threat to traffic officials at Minsk Air Control Center even before the Ryanair flight took off from Athens, demanding it divert to &nbsp;Minsk.

They waited until the plane entered&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;air space to alert the aircraft to the purported bomb threat,&nbsp;in order to force it to land in Minsk.

Churo's deputy Kazyuchits then sought to have the incident record falsified to hide the fabricated bomb threat and the involvement of security officials, according to the indictment.

The four, who remain at large in&nbsp;Belarus, all face possible life in prison if they are brought to justice in the United States.

The incident sparked international outrage and has brought punitive sanctions from Europe, Canada, Britain and the United States.

The International Civil Aviation Organization on Monday said it had completed its investigation but would only reveal the conclusions at the end of this month.

The US Justice Department charged four Belarus officials with air piracy Thursday for last year's forced diversion of a Ryanair flight in order to arrest a dissident on board.

The US Justice Department charged four Belarus officials with air piracy Thursday for last year's forced diversion of a Ryanair flight in order to arrest a dissident on board. Two top officials of the state air navigation authority and two security officials were accused of conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy for allegedly taking part in a fake bomb scare scheme to force the aircraft to land in Minsk on May 23, 2021, so that the Belarusian government could seize opposition campaigner Roman Protasevich. The charges, filed in federal court in New York, said Ryanair Flight 4978 from Athens to Vilnius had been carrying more than 100 passengers, including four US citizens, when Belarus authorities concocted the scheme to force it to land. Two of the four charged, Leonid Mikalaevich Churo and Oleg Kazyuchits, are director-general and deputy director-general, respectively, of the state aviation authority Belaeronavigatsia. Two others from the state security services, their names not fully known to the FBI, were also charged. “The FBI identified a detailed operation that subjected passengers from many countries, including the US, to the realities of terroristic threats," said FBI Assistant Director Michael Driscoll. "Not only is what took place a reckless violation of US law, it’s extremely dangerous to the safety of everyone who flies in an airplane," he said. "The next pilot who gets a distress call from a tower may doubt the authenticity of the emergency -- which puts lives at risk." The diversion operation was led by state security services and succeeded in having Protasevich, 26, a journalist with the Nexta opposition media, and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, a law student at the European Humanities University in Lithuania, arrested at a Minsk airport. Both were placed under house arrest to face various charges. According to the US indictment, Churo and the security officials communicated the ostensible bomb threat to traffic officials at Minsk Air Control Center even before the Ryanair flight took off from Athens, demanding it divert to Minsk. They waited until the plane entered Belarus air space to alert the aircraft to the purported bomb threat, in order to force it to land in Minsk. Churo's deputy Kazyuchits then sought to have the incident record falsified to hide the fabricated bomb threat and the involvement of security officials, according to the indictment. The four, who remain at large in Belarus, all face possible life in prison if they are brought to justice in the United States. The incident sparked international outrage and has brought punitive sanctions from Europe, Canada, Britain and the United States. The International Civil Aviation Organization on Monday said it had completed its investigation but would only reveal the conclusions at the end of this month.

US charges Belarus officials with air piracy over Ryanair flight diversion

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday mocked the economic sanctions slapped on it by the European Union, calling it 'their powerlessness'.

The European Union had imposed wide-ranging economic sanctions on Belarus for the first time in response to what the bloc called the ''escalation of serious human rights violations'', including the detention of journalist Roman Protasevich.

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The sanctions target the economy but are also aimed at hitting President Alexander Lukashenko and his allies.

Pratasevich, a dissident journalist, was arrested May 23 after Belarusian flight controllers ordered a Ryanair jet travelling from Greece to Lithuania to land in Minsk.

The measures include banning EU businesses from importing goods or doing business with Belarusian companies in sectors including banking, petroleum products and potash, a salt used in fertilizer that is the country's main export.

Lukashenko, commenting on the sanctions while at a work trip in Grodno region, also said that the sanctions should not affect Belarusian companies.

The sanctions are far stricter than measures imposed in the past, which had mainly consisted of blacklists of Belarusian officials and had little or no impact on the behaviour of President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994.

EU leaders were outraged by the interception of the Ryanair plane flying between Athens and Vilnius on May 23. Belarusian authorities arrested a dissident journalist and his girlfriend after the plane landed, in an incident which Western countries branded state piracy.

With Lukashenko so far impervious to foreign pressure over disputed elections last August, the EU said it wanted to dramatically escalate pressure.

Lukashenko argued that the journalist pulled off the plane had been plotting a rebellion, and he accused the West of waging a hybrid war against him.

Since cracking down violently on pro-democracy demonstrations after a disputed election outcome last year, he has withstood three rounds of EU sanctions and comparable US&nbsp;measures - mainly blacklists that bar officials from travelling to or doing business in Europe and the United States.

(With inputs from agencies)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday mocked the economic sanctions slapped on it by the European Union, calling it 'their powerlessness'. The European Union had imposed wide-ranging economic sanctions on Belarus for the first time in response to what the bloc called the ''escalation of serious human rights violations'', including the detention of journalist Roman Protasevich.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday mocked the economic sanctions slapped on it by the European Union, calling it 'their powerlessness'. The European Union had imposed wide-ranging economic sanctions on Belarus for the first time in response to what the bloc called the ''escalation of serious human rights violations'', including the detention of journalist Roman Protasevich. The sanctions target the economy but are also aimed at hitting President Alexander Lukashenko and his allies. Pratasevich, a dissident journalist, was arrested May 23 after Belarusian flight controllers ordered a Ryanair jet travelling from Greece to Lithuania to land in Minsk. The measures include banning EU businesses from importing goods or doing business with Belarusian companies in sectors including banking, petroleum products and potash, a salt used in fertilizer that is the country's main export. Lukashenko, commenting on the sanctions while at a work trip in Grodno region, also said that the sanctions should not affect Belarusian companies. The sanctions are far stricter than measures imposed in the past, which had mainly consisted of blacklists of Belarusian officials and had little or no impact on the behaviour of President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994. EU leaders were outraged by the interception of the Ryanair plane flying between Athens and Vilnius on May 23. Belarusian authorities arrested a dissident journalist and his girlfriend after the plane landed, in an incident which Western countries branded state piracy. With Lukashenko so far impervious to foreign pressure over disputed elections last August, the EU said it wanted to dramatically escalate pressure. Lukashenko argued that the journalist pulled off the plane had been plotting a rebellion, and he accused the West of waging a hybrid war against him. Since cracking down violently on pro-democracy demonstrations after a disputed election outcome last year, he has withstood three rounds of EU sanctions and comparable US measures - mainly blacklists that bar officials from travelling to or doing business in Europe and the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko mocks EU, calls sanctions 'powerlessness'

Belarusian opposition said on Monday that&nbsp;Jailed journalist Roman Protasevich was&nbsp;paraded as 'trophy' in latest public appearance&nbsp;made under duress.

Protasevich sat alongside four officials, two of whom were in uniform, saying he had not been made to cooperate with the authorities and that he was in good health after being arrested last month when his Ryanair flight was forced to land in Minsk.

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"Everything is fine with me. Nobody beat me, nobody touched me," he said. "I understand the damage I have caused not only to the state, but also to the country. Now I want to do everything in my power to rectify this situation."

Protasevich has made several appearances since his plane was forced to land in Minsk while on a May 23 flight from Greece to Lithuania via Belarusian air space. He has admitted to plotting to topple President Alexander Lukashenko by organising "riots" and recanted earlier criticism of the veteran leader.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-opposition-leader-accuses-lukashenko-of-turning-country-into-north-korea-of-europe-387485">Belarus opposition leader accuses Lukashenko of turning country into 'North Korea of Europe'</a>

"No matter what he says, let's not forget: he is a hostage. And the regime is using him as a trophy," Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, wrote on Twitter.

"This is not a press conference but a scene of either Kafka or Orwell."

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The Ryanair incident has shown that the international response can be swift, decisive, and effective. We can speak with a unified voice – for the sake of the freedom in Belarus, for the sake of European and global citizens’ safety. For the sake of all of us! <a href="https://t.co/QkOH9aQy9K">pic.twitter.com/QkOH9aQy9K</a>
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tsihanouskaya/status/1404363505596313602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Belarus of the Brain, the blogging outlet that Protasevich ran before his arrest, said his latest appearance was made under duress and showed the "strongest psychological pressure" being exerted on the 26-year-old.

Previously, authorities said Protasevich is an extremist who has facilitated violence. They have maintained that televised confessions by members of the opposition were made voluntarily.

There was an international uproar when the Athens-to-Warsaw Ryanair flight on which Protasevic and his Russian girlfriend Sofia Sapega were travelling was intercepted by a Belarusian fighter and forced to land in Minsk.

The European Union has imposed sanctions including assets freezes and visa bans and told European operators not to use Belarusian air space.

But two senior officials at Monday's news conference reiterated the official line in Minsk that the flight had to be diverted because they had received a &nbsp;bomb threat from the Palestinian group Hamas.

Several Western leaders have dismissed this version of events, notably German Chancellor Angela Merkel who described it as "completely implausible".

Belarus has been shaken by unprecedented mass protests since the disputed re-election last year of Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994 with the support of Russia.

Lukashenko has responded with a crackdown on protesters, jailing many and forcing many others into exile.

Belarusian opposition said on Monday that Jailed journalist Roman Protasevich was paraded as 'trophy' in latest public appearance made under duress. Protasevich sat alongside four officials, two of whom were in uniform, saying he had not been made to cooperate with the authorities and that he was in good health after being arrested last month when his Ryanair flight was forced to land in Minsk.

Belarusian opposition said on Monday that Jailed journalist Roman Protasevich was paraded as 'trophy' in latest public appearance made under duress. Protasevich sat alongside four officials, two of whom were in uniform, saying he had not been made to cooperate with the authorities and that he was in good health after being arrested last month when his Ryanair flight was forced to land in Minsk. "Everything is fine with me. Nobody beat me, nobody touched me," he said. "I understand the damage I have caused not only to the state, but also to the country. Now I want to do everything in my power to rectify this situation." Protasevich has made several appearances since his plane was forced to land in Minsk while on a May 23 flight from Greece to Lithuania via Belarusian air space. He has admitted to plotting to topple President Alexander Lukashenko by organising "riots" and recanted earlier criticism of the veteran leader. Also read| Belarus opposition leader accuses Lukashenko of turning country into 'North Korea of Europe' "No matter what he says, let's not forget: he is a hostage. And the regime is using him as a trophy," Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, wrote on Twitter. "This is not a press conference but a scene of either Kafka or Orwell." The Ryanair incident has shown that the international response can be swift, decisive, and effective. We can speak with a unified voice – for the sake of the freedom in Belarus, for the sake of European and global citizens’ safety. For the sake of all of us! pic.twitter.com/QkOH9aQy9K — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 14, 2021 × Belarus of the Brain, the blogging outlet that Protasevich ran before his arrest, said his latest appearance was made under duress and showed the "strongest psychological pressure" being exerted on the 26-year-old. Previously, authorities said Protasevich is an extremist who has facilitated violence. They have maintained that televised confessions by members of the opposition were made voluntarily. There was an international uproar when the Athens-to-Warsaw Ryanair flight on which Protasevic and his Russian girlfriend Sofia Sapega were travelling was intercepted by a Belarusian fighter and forced to land in Minsk. The European Union has imposed sanctions including assets freezes and visa bans and told European operators not to use Belarusian air space. But two senior officials at Monday's news conference reiterated the official line in Minsk that the flight had to be diverted because they had received a bomb threat from the Palestinian group Hamas. Several Western leaders have dismissed this version of events, notably German Chancellor Angela Merkel who described it as "completely implausible". Belarus has been shaken by unprecedented mass protests since the disputed re-election last year of Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994 with the support of Russia. Lukashenko has responded with a crackdown on protesters, jailing many and forcing many others into exile.

Belarus opposition says jailed journalist paraded as 'trophy' in latest public appearance

The mother of Belarusian journalist and political activist Raman Pratasevich has appealed for international help to free her son and asked her son to stay strong.

Belarus: Mother of detained journalist asks her son to stay strong

The UN civil aviation agency will hold an urgent meeting on Thursday to discuss Belarus after Western powers on the UN Security Council called for the body to investigate Minsk's diversion of a European flight and arrest of a dissident.

UN civil aviation agency ICAO to meet over Belarus plane diversion