Explainer: Belarus accused of 'state-sponsored hijacking' of Ryanair flight

Western countries have called for the release of a young journalist as Belarus authorities reportedly hijacked a Ryanair flight on Sunday and arrested Roman Protasevich

 A prominent opponent of Belarus' authoritarian president has been arrested after the Ryanair plane in which he was travelling was diverted to the country after a bomb threat. Picture: AP

Ryanair Flight 4978 had already begun its descent into the Lithuanian capital Vilnius when the pilot announced that the plane would be suddenly diverting to Minsk, capital of neighbouring Belarus.

No explanation was offered to the passengers. So what happened?