An opposition journalist who was arrested after being hauled off a Ryanair plane that was forced to land in Belarus almost two years ago has been jailed for eight years, according to state news agency BELTA .
Along with two others - who were tried in absentia - Roman Protasevich, aged 27, was accused of committing at least 1,586 crimes, the state news agency said.
The charges included organising mass riots, preparing actions grossly violating public order, calling for sanctions against Belarus, creating or leading an extremist group, and conspiracy to seize power.
The circumstances of Mr Protasevich's arrest in May 2021 prompted international outrage and triggered European Union sanctions against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.
He had been flying from Greece to Lithuania when Belarusian air traffic control suddenly diverted the flight to Minsk on the basis of a false bomb alert.
He was arrested and detained along with his then girlfriend.
