Speciali laida dėl į Lietuvą skridusio lėktuvo priverstinio nutupdymo Baltarusijoje

·1 hr·5 clips

A passenger plane near Lithuania was forced to turn back to Minsk by Belarus, sparking an international crisis.

The episode begins by detailing the incident where a passenger plane was forced to turn around near the Lithuanian border and land in Minsk, Belarus. Host Maxim Smilta speaks with Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, who discusses the lack of concrete explanations from Belarusian authorities and the regime's propaganda narrative. The conversation shifts to historical context, noting a 1995 incident where the Belarusian air force shot down a balloon with two passengers, illustrating a pattern of behavior. Experts analyze the current situation, highlighting the arrest of activist Roman Protasevich and the regime's recent crackdowns, including the closure of news portal Tut.by and the detention of over 400 political prisoners. Lithuanian parliamentarian Laurynas Kaščiūnas emphasizes the need for strong economic sanctions against Belarus, targeting state companies to impact the regime. European MP Petras Uštrevičius labels the plane incident a terrorist act and discusses the challenge of Russia's support for Lukashenko. Another European MP, Andrius Kubilius, compares the event to actions by former Libyan dictator Gaddafi and calls for international legal action, possibly through tribunals. Professor Dovile Jekniūnaite from Vilnius University provides analysis on Lukashenko's confidence due to Russian backing and the regime's focus on internal repression. Former Air Force official Bronius Merkius discusses the legal and safety aspects of the pilots' decision to turn the plane around. The episode concludes with mentions of reactions from Poland and the European Union, including discussions between Polish Prime Minister and EU leader Charles Michel. Throughout, themes include the vulnerability of air travel for activists, the ineffectiveness of symbolic sanctions, and the broader implications for European security and Belarusian opposition.

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