Belarus accused of ‘state-sponsored hijack’ of plane after journalist arrest

State-sponsored “hijacking”, “piracy” and even “terrorism” are the accusations against Belarus.

The country’s ambassadors across Europe’s capitals have been summoned to explain why an EU airline flying between two EU cities was forced to land in Minsk, and a prominent passenger seized.

British planes have been told to avoid Belarusian airspace “in order to keep passengers safe”.

EU leaders are meeting to discuss what to do.