“The Swiss authorities have no knowledge of a bomb threat on the Ryanair Athens-Vilnius flight,” a ministry spokesman said in a short statement on Wednesday.
“Therefore, there have been no announcements from the Swiss authorities to the Belarusian authorities on this matter.”
Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko told his parliament in Minsk on Wednesday that a bomb threat which led to the aircraft’s grounding had come from Switzerland. He did not elaborate further.
On Sunday, Belarusian authorities scrambled a fighter jet and flagged what turned out to be a false alert to force a Ryanair plane to interrupt its course between Athens and Vilnius to land in Minsk.
Two people on board, the opposition activist Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega, were arrested.
The 26-year-old journalist Protasevich previously worked for Poland-based online news service NEXTA, which broadcast footage of mass protests against Lukashenko last year via the Telegram messenger app, at a time when it was hard for foreign media to do so.
Protasevich, who now works for a different Telegram channel, is wanted in Belarus on extremism charges and stands accused of organising mass riots and of inciting social hatred, allegations he denies.
A government spokesman in Bern reiterated on Wednesday that Switzerland “firmly condemns” the action taken by Belarus, and said an international inquiry was needed to clarify the incident.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
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Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
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Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
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St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
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The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
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The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
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In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
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As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
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After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Minsk ‘hijacking’: Swiss call for release of Belarusian journalist
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The Swiss foreign ministry has joined the EU and US in calling for the release of Roman Protasevich, who was forced off a Ryanair flight.
Switzerland joins EU in sanctions against top Belarus officials
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The Swiss government has imposed financial and travels sanctions against 40 former and current officials in Belarus following elections.
Renewed calls for release of Swiss citizen in Belarus
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A rights group has called on Belarus to release a Swiss-Belarus dual national convicted for taking part in anti-government protests.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.