Backlash mounts after Belarus president purportedly forces down plane with opposition journalist

The backlash among Western countries over Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko forcing down a commercial jet to apparently arrest an opposition journalist grew Monday, with the European Union threatening more sanctions. 

The authoritarian president on Sunday purportedly ordered down an Ireland-based Ryanair commercial airliner with activist and journalist Raman Pratasevich aboard while in Belarus airspace.

Ryanair said Belarusian flight controllers told the crew there was a bomb threat against the plane and ordered it to land in the capital of Minsk. A Belarusian MiG-29 fighter jet was scrambled to escort the plane, the Associated Press reports. 

No bomb was found.

The move to apparently arrest the 26-year-old Pratasevich was immediately denounced as a hijacking and terrorism.

Pratasevich ran a popular messaging app that played a key role in helping organize massive protests against Lukashenko, who has ruled with an iron fist for over a quarter-century.

Pratasevich and his Russian girlfriend were led off the plane shortly after landing – and authorities haven’t said where they’re being held. The plane, which began its journey in Athens, Greece, was eventually allowed to continue on to Vilnius, Lithuania, the wire service also reports.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the diversion "shocking" and appealed for Pratasevich’s release. EU leaders have reportedly said they will try to restrict Belarus airplanes for using airports within the bloc. 

On Monday, hours ahead of a previously planned summit, some EU leaders were threatening more sanctions including excluding Belarus from sporting events, also according to the Associated Press.