Ryanair aircraft. File photoWASHINGTON, Jan 17 The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said it had sent out an investigation report to its members regarding an incident involving a Ryanair aircraft that made an emergency landing in Minsk last year due to a bombing report, and scheduled a discussion on how to proceed on January 31. «ICAO released its fact-finding report on the event involving Ryanair flight FR4978 in Belarusian airspace. The report was made available today to all 193 ICAO Member States, including 36 that are elected to the ICAO Council,» — reads the press release.Belarus called the Polish recording of the conversations with the Ryanair pilot an installation. The ICAO Council, at a meeting on January 31, will hold «a formal discussion of any further actions that the organization can take based on the findings of the report.» considers illegal restrictions or sanctions that were introduced as a result of the event by other states and the EU,» the report says. A Ryanair aircraft flying from Athens to Vilnius made an emergency landing at Minsk airport on May 23 due to a report about mining, which subsequently did not confirmed. On board was Roman Protasevich, the founder of the Telegram channel Nexta, recognized as extremist in Belarus. While checking documents, he was detained. A criminal case has been initiated against Protasevich under several articles, including the article «organization of mass riots», he faces up to 15 years in prison. After the incident, European countries said that the Belarusian authorities forced the plane to land under a far-fetched pretext. This was denied in Minsk, arguing that they only recommended landing, and the decision was made by the pilot. After the incident, some airlines began to bypass the airspace of Belarus. The European Union has banned the use of its airspace and airports by aircraft of Belarusian air carriers.
