EgyptAir hijacking suspect to be extradited

Cyprus has approved and Egyptian request to extradite a man accused of hijacking an EgyptAir flight with a fake suicide belt, according to a Cypriot offical.

NICOSIA // Cyprus has approved an Egyptian request to extradite a man accused of hijacking an EgyptAir flight with a fake suicide belt, according to a Cypriot offical.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he’s not authorised to publicly discuss details of an ongoing investigation, said that law enforcement authorities have been instructed to start the relevant procedures to return Seif Eddin Mustafa, 59, to Egypt.

Mr Mustafa, whom Cypriot authorities described as “psychologically unstable,” is accused of forcing a flight from Alexandria to Cairo to land in Cyprus last week after claiming to be strapped with explosives.

The hijacking ended peacefully six hours later with Mr Mustafa’s arrest when he stepped off the Airbus A320 after the 72 passengers and crew were freed.

* Associated Press