`YOU HAVE BOMB ON BOARD'

Belarusian air traffic controllers tricked the pilot of the aircraft carrying journalist Roman Protasevich into landing in Minsk by claiming a bomb on board would explode if it continued to its destination.

Ryanair flight 4978 was transiting Belarusian airspace en route from Athens to Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, on Sunday when air traffic controllers told the pilot that he was carrying an explosive device that would detonate “over Vilnius.”

A transcript of parts of the conversation released by Belarus' ministry of transport shows that the pilot at least twice requested details about the source of the information after receiving evasive answers.

The transcript differs from excerpts previously released by Belarus state TV, which had attributed some of the pilot's remarks to the controller.

State TV had pointed to its version to argue that the pilot had asked to land in Minsk, rather than that the controller had advised him to do so.

Following are excerpts from the transcript, which Reuters was unable to verify.

At 9:30 a.m. local time, Minsk air traffic control informs the pilot of a bomb and suggests landing in Minsk.

Pilot: Yes, go ahead.

ATC: For your information, we have information from special services that you have bomb on board and it can be activated over Vilnius. Pilot: Standby.

Pilot: OK, could you repeat the message?

ATC: I say again, we have information from special services that you have bomb on board. That bomb can be activated over Vilnius. Pilot: Roger that, standby.

ATC: For security reason we recommend you to land at UMMS. (ICAO code for Minsk airport)

Pilot: OK … that … it … understood give us alternate please.

Pilot: The bomb … direct message, where did it come from? Where did you have information about it from?

ATC: Standby please.

Pilot: Go ahead.

ATC: Airport security staff informed they received email.

Pilot: Roger, Vilnius airport security staff or from Greece?

ATC: This email was shared to several airports.

Pilot: Roger, standby.

PILOT ASKS CONTROLLER FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Pilot: Again, this recommendation to divert to Minsk where did it come from? Where did it come from? Company? Did it come from departure airport authorities or arrival airport authorities?

ATC: This is our recommendations.

Pilot: Can you say again?

ATC: This is our recommendations.

Pilot: (unreadable.)

Pilot: Did you say that your recommendation?

PILOT AGREES TO LAND IN MINSK

ATC: Advise your decision please.

Pilot: I need answer the question: what is the code of the (unreadable) green, yellow or amber, red.

ATC: Standby.

ATC: They say code is red.

Pilot: Roger that, in that case we request holding at present position.

ATC: Roger, hold over your position, maintain FL390 turns at own discretion. Pilot: Ok holding at our discretion at present position maintaining FL390.

Pilot: We are declaring an emergency MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY RYR 1TZ. Our intentions would be to divert to Minsk airport.

ATC: RYR 1TZ MAYDAY, Roger. Standby for vectors.