EU Council demands release of journalist Roman Prostasevich and partner in Belarus

Belarus has been accused of 'hijacking' and 'piracy' after forcing a plane to land in Minsk and arresting a journalist. The European Union Council is demanding the release of Roman Protasevich and his partner. Leaders have agreed to ban Belorussian airlines and have told all EU carriers to avoid flying over the Belorussian airspace. It's also agreed to more economic sanctions. Since the election in Belarus last August, which is widely viewed as rigged, there has been a severe crackdown on journalists and dissident voices. Tut.By which is the country's biggest independent news outlet had its offices raided last week and the website is still blocked. Officials say a criminal case has been opened against some staff on suspicion of tax evasion. Vadim Chausov lives in New Zealand and is friends with the daughter of the founder of Tut.By, who went missing for two days after the raid. He spoke to Worldwatch's Perlina Lau about what happened following the raid and his reaction to the arrest of Roman Protasevich.