Latvian MP Suggests Taking Belarusian Hockey Team Hostage Until Reporter Protasievich is Released

Latvian Saeima member Aigars Bikše has proposed to take the Belarusian national hockey team players hostage and hold them in detention until journalist Roman Protasievich and other political prisoners are released in Minsk.

“There is a proposal. Latvia would detain the entire Belarusian hockey team and leave them on the other side of the border, only exchanging them for all political prisoners of the Belarusian regime,” the Latvian MP expressed this opinion, according to EADaily.

In his view, the response to those he calls “terrorists” should be “loud and impactful.” The parliamentarian insists that Minsk has clearly signaled to those fighting for “the freedom of Belarus” with Protasievich’s arrest: “We will hunt you down everywhere, and your supporters in the West will be unable to protect you.”

It is worth noting that the Ryanair Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which was operating a flight from Athens to Vilnius, made an emergency landing in Minsk on May 23. After the plane landed, one of the passengers, co-founder of the Belarusian opposition NEXTA Telegram channel Roman Protasievich, was arrested at the airport. He faces a 15-year prison sentence, with a case opened against him for participation in mass riots.

Additionally, the Ice Hockey World Championship is currently being held in Latvia.