The hijacker emerged from the aircraft with his hands in the air, state TV said.
15:14 (GMT+4)
Baku – APA. An Egyptian man hijacked an EgyptAir flight over his ex-wife, forcing the plane to land in Cyprus, officials said Tuesday, CNN reported.
Authorities identified the hijacker as Egyptian national Seif El Din Mustafa, presidential spokesman Alaa Yousuf said. Earlier, Yousuf identified the hijacker as an Egyptian-American dual citizen with a different name.
Cyprus television said the hijacker is an oppositionist to the current Egyptian government.
Note that, the Egyptian government has already apologized to Ibrahim Samaha. The Egyptian government has apologized to Ibrahim Samaha for mistakenly identifying him as the EgyptAir plane hijacker.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Cyprus special forces are preparing to neutralize the hijacker.
13:10 (GMT+4)
Baku – APA. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said that the hijack of Egyptian Ð320 jet is not a terrorist attack, RIA Novosti reported.
One crew member of EgyptAir A320 has already left the plane.
State media reported that hijacker Ibrahim Samaha had dueal nationality with the US and taught veterinary medicine at Alexandria University.
He reportedly has 4 children. According to unverified reports, they lived in Cyprus with Samaha’s ex-wife Marina Paraschou.
Officials at Egypt’s ministry of foreign affairs responded to reports that the hijacker’s motives are personal, saying they were aware of the reports that he is seeking asylum and discussing his ex wife. “He’s not a terrorist, he’s an idiot. Terrorists are crazy but they aren’t stupid,” they said.
12:40 (GMT+4)
Baku – APA. All of the passengers on board the hijacked EgyptAir plane in Larnaca, Cyprus, have been freed.
There is no report about the fate of the crew, APA reports.
Al-Arabiya TV channel reports citing to its sources that there was no explosive in the plane. Talks are underway with the hijacker. Military arrived in the scene.
Greek “Proto Thema” paper reports that Ibrahim Samaha has requested to see a Cypriot woman by the name of Marina Paraschou, who is purportedly his ex-wife. Cypriot authorities are taking the woman to the aiport to speak with the man.
The woman reportedly lives in Cyprus.
12:15 (GMT+4)
Baku – APA. The hijacker of the Egyptian aircraft has asked for a political asylum in Cyprus, Greek Sky TV channel reported.
During the talks with the Cyprus authorities, the hijacker asked for a political asylum on the island, according to the TV channel.
“No other demands have been specified yet,” said the report.
12:00 (GMT+4)
Baku – APA. The hijacker of the Ð320 aircraft has been named as Egyptian Ibrahim Samaha, RIA Novosti reported.
The international airline monitor, AirLive, has claimed that the hijacker wants to send 4 pages written in Arabic to a woman living in Cyprus.
The hijacker initially wanted the pilot to fly to Turkey, but due to lack of fuel the aircraft was forced to land in Cyprus. The hijacker has asked for political asylum in Cyprus.
11:47 (GMT+4)
As a result of the talks with the hijacker, all passengers, except four foreigners and the crew, have been released from the Egyptian Ð320 aircraft which has landed at Larnaca airport, Egyptair has tweeted.
11:21 (GMT+4)
Baku - APA. Around 20 women and a child have left the hijacked Ð-320 aircraft which has landed at Larnaca airport.
The plane with 55 passengers and seven crew members on board has arrived at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus.
An unidentified man, who hijacked the EgyptAir aircraft flying from Alexandria to Cairo, threatened the captain and the passengers that he would blow up the suicide belt, if his demand is not fulfilled.
Cypriot official told AP the plane landed at Larnaca airport, and that a suspected bomb is on board.
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