German Chancellor Angela Merkel 'strongly condemns' Belarus' plane diversion

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday again strongly condemned the diversion of a Ryanair plane by Belarus, adding that it put people in danger and above all led to the arrest of the journalist Raman Pratasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega.

Speaking at the end of a two-day European Union meeting, Merkel said the bloc's leaders had made a political decision that further sanctions would be imposed on Belarus, though the specific entities that would be targeted have yet to be named.

Pratasevich was arrested in Minsk after being pulled off a plane that was diverted there in what the West called a state-sponsored hijacking.

The dramatic arrest has put a spotlight on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s rule and suppression of dissent - but it was not clear what effect more sanctions or other measures would have.

After his detention, Pratasevich was seen in a brief video clip shown on Belarusian state television late Monday, speaking rapidly to say that he was confessing to some of the charges authorities have leveled against him.

Asked about a video showing Protasevich speaking after his arrest, Merkel said that she agreed with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson that it was "worrying and disturbing."

Asked about the possibility of Russia's role in the affair, she said there was no confirmed information that the Kremlin had been involved.