Following the landing of international passenger planes and detention of anti-government journalists by former Soviet Belarusian authorities, the EU-European Union has imposed sanctions such as a ban on Belarusian aircraft flying over the EU. I agreed.
In addition, US President Joe Biden has also ordered consideration of countermeasures, and international criticism is increasing.
Belarusian officials landed an international airliner passing through the territory at the airport in the capital Minsk on the 23rd and detained anti-government journalist Roman Protasevic on board.
The Belarusian side said there was information that an explosive was set up as to why it ordered the landing, but no explosive was found.
In response, the EU will discuss a response at a summit meeting on the 24th, demanding the immediate release of Mr. Protasevic, and banning Belarusian airlines from flying over the EU and landing at airports in the EU. We have agreed to impose sanctions such as.
At a press conference, Chairman Von der Leyen said, "Democracy and freedom of expression, an attack on EU sovereignty, and such outrageous behavior requires a strong response."
President Biden "blames with the strongest words"
Following the forced landing of a passenger plane by Belarusian authorities and the detention of anti-government journalist Protasevic, US President Joe Biden issued a statement on the 24th, saying, "It is an insult to international discipline and the United States is accused of the strongest words. I will do it. "
On top of that, he pointed out that Mr. Protasevic's video was extorted, saying that it was "a shameful attack on anti-government and press freedom", and that he and Mr. Protasevic were unfairly detained as political prisoners under the Lukashenko administration. I called for the release of a hundred people.
In addition, President Biden called for an international investigation into the facts and supported the EU-European Union's sanctions agreement.
He said he had instructed the U.S. government to consider countermeasures, saying, "I instructed the person in charge to work closely with the EU, allies, and international organizations to consider appropriate options for holding the responsibilities of those involved." I made it.
The White House Chief of Staff, White House Chief of Staff, said on the 24th that he would hold a telephone conversation with Belarusian rebel Chihanovskaya to express his strong support and hold the Belarusian government accountable.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato "Detention is an Injustice Immediate Release"
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said at a press conference in the afternoon, "It is unreasonable that the Belarusian authorities' forced landing of civil aviation was suspected of violating the International Civil Aviation Convention and that certain passengers were arbitrarily detained. The Japanese government is in a position to strongly condemn the actions of these Belarusian governments and demand the Belarusian government to immediately release detained journalists. "
He added, "In the future, we will continue to work closely with the international community, including the EU and the United States, in international discussions."
Russia is cautious
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Belarus authorities had landed an international airliner and detained anti-government journalists. "Belarus is ready to provide the necessary information. Importantly, a calm assessment of the situation. That's what we do, "he said, defending Belarus as the West increased criticism.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Russian Presidential Administration, Peskov, said of the Belarusian authorities' method, "It is the international aviation authorities who evaluate whether or not they meet international standards. I cannot comment," avoiding a clear evaluation. I did.
Russia is cautious about the assessment of the detention, as if international criticism of the Lukashenko administration grows, it could lead to criticism of the Putin administration, which is its backing.