US’s Blinken condemns Lukashenko for forcing passenger plane to land and arresting journalist

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has blasted Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko after Belarusian authorities hijacked a Ryanair flight.

‘We strongly condemn the Lukashenka regime’s brazen and shocking act to divert a commercial flight and arrest a journalist,’ Blinken said in a statement Sunday evening.

Blinken called for the immediate release of Roman Protasevich, 26, an opponent of President Lukashenko who was taken off the plane and arrested.  

‘We demand an international investigation and are coordinating with our partners on next steps. The United States stands with…