A deposed Saudi royal court adviser accused of directing the gruesome assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi is being quietly reintroduced by pro-regime social media accounts.

While the mainstream British media has largely ignored former diplomat Craig Murray's imminent imprisonment by contrast leading activists have leapt to his defense.

Lavrov says Belarusian authorities have treated the incident regarding the Ryanair passenger flight with an "absolutely reasonable approach."

The UK's relationship with Belarus has all but collapsed after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps instructed British airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace.

Belarus diverts a Lithuania-bound passenger flight following a reported bomb threat and then detains a dissident activist on board the plane, sparking fierce censure by US and European officials.