Jurisdiction

[Zhivago]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60077773

In general I would normally have no problem with this. But to do this while citing US law makes no sense to me. I do not see how US law can have any jurisdiction over a Ryanair (non-US airline) flying solely within Europe.

Just to be clear I fully support the attempt to bring Belarussian officials to justice. But it should be something within EU law.

[Which Tyler]

Got to agree with that.
Crime committed in EU airspace, against an EU airline, and almost exclusively (presumably) EU passengers.

Should absolutely be an EU prosecution.

[Sandydragon]

It does come across as odd. I suppose the question is, given the same information, why hasn't an EU country done the same? I don't know if the EU as an institution would do that (or could do that). I would have assumed the the best placed country would be wherever the plane was registered.

I'm thinking that if no one else will then I'm pleased the Americans have, but I'm left wondering why no one else more appropriate has acted.

Maybe there was a token American dual national on board?

[Zhivago]

It does come across as odd. I suppose the question is, given the same information, why hasn't an EU country done the same? I don't know if the EU as an institution would do that (or could do that). I would have assumed the the best placed country would be wherever the plane was registered.

I'm thinking that if no one else will then I'm pleased the Americans have, but I'm left wondering why no one else more appropriate has acted.

Maybe there was a token American dual national on board?

That seems to be the case
"U.S. officials say they have jurisdiction in the case because American citizens were aboard the flight"
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-c ... ng%20riots.

[Sandydragon]

It does come across as odd. I suppose the question is, given the same information, why hasn't an EU country done the same? I don't know if the EU as an institution would do that (or could do that). I would have assumed the the best placed country would be wherever the plane was registered.

I'm thinking that if no one else will then I'm pleased the Americans have, but I'm left wondering why no one else more appropriate has acted.

Maybe there was a token American dual national on board?

That seems to be the case
"U.S. officials say they have jurisdiction in the case because American citizens were aboard the flight"
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-c ... ng%20riots.

Good find. That would explain it then. Apparently other countries have also launched legal action but the US would get the higher level of media coverage.

It’s also pretty irrelevant unless one of those named actually leave Belarus for a country which would enforce any arrest warrant.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I'm pretty sure piracy has universal jurisdiction.

Having citizens who were on the aircraft gives you enough of a nexus to prosecute.