Katko Statement on Belarus Aviation Security Incident

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement on Belarus’ forced landing of a civilian passenger plane in its airspace to detain a journalist:

“I am deeply troubled by the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich from a civilian passenger flight yesterday. I condemn this audacious act in the strongest possible terms and call upon the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Biden Administration to immediately investigate how the Belarus government forced the Ryanair flight to land in Minsk.

“Mr. Protasevich should be immediately released. I look forward to seeing what actions may be taken by the Administration and our European partners to impose significant consequences and sanctions on the Lukashenko government. The Belarusian actions are completely unacceptable, fly in the face of international norms and are a threat to international aviation security.”

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