Lukashenko says journalist was plotting rebellion
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday a journalist pulled off a plane that was forced to land in Minsk had been plotting a rebellion, and he accused the West of waging a hybrid war against him.
In his first public remarks since a Belarusian warplane intercepted a Ryanair flight on Sunday between European Union members Greece and Lithuania, he showed no hint of backing down from confrontation with countries that accuse him of air piracy.
“As we predicted, our ill-wishers from outside the country and from inside the country changed their methods of attack on the state,” Lukashenko told parliament. “They have crossed many red lines and have abandoned common sense and human morals.”
Europe’s aviation regulator issued a bulletin on Wednesday urging all airlines to avoid Belarus airspace for safety reasons, saying the forced diversion of the Ryanair flight had put in question its ability to provide safe skies.
Western governments have told their airlines to reroute flights to avoid Belarus’ airspace and have announced plans to ban Belarusian planes. The European Union says other unspecified sanctions are also in the works.
Credit rating agency S&P Global signaled it could downgrade Belarus’ credit rating if Western governments impose stronger economic sanctions.
Lukashenko said he would respond harshly to any sanctions. His prime minister said the country could ban some imports and restrict transit in response, without giving details.
