Forced landing of a Polish plane at the airport in Minsk: Analysis of Ryanair flight 4978

Abstract

The aim of the article is to provide a legal analysis of an aviation incident that occurred in May 2021 in Belarus, when a passenger plane registered in Poland was forced to land, probably with the intention of arresting an oppositionist, on the pretext of a terrorist threat. The article presents a detailed description of the events, including a report on the actions of the Belarusian services against the aircraft, and it also indicates the entities authorized to initiate an investigation, develops issues related to international aviation law, with particular emphasis on international aviation conventions, determines the consequences of intercepting the aircraft and potential consequences for Belarus.