International
Hijacker of EgyptAir plane had not seen his family for 24-yrs
Read also: Fake suicide belt used in EgyptAir hijack authorities say
The hijacker who gave himself up to security operatives at the airport after engaging a negotiator was paraded at a Larnaca court on Wednesday where it was ruled that he be held in custody for eight days on suspicion of hijacking, abduction, threatening violence, terrorism-related offences and two counts related to possession of explosives.
As he left the court compound in a police jeep, Mustafa stuck his hand out of an open window flashing the “V” sign for victory.
The suspect allegedly commandeered the aircraft 15 minutes after take-off from Alexandria.
He approached a flight attendant and showed off the belt, attached to a remote control he held in his hand, investigating officer Andreas Lambrianou told the court.
“The suspect asked all passengers and crew to hand in their passports, then gave two messages to a member of the crew, asking that the pilot be informed that he was a hijacker and wanted to land at an airport in Turkey, Greece or Cyprus, but preferably Cyprus,” Lambrianou said.
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