EgyptAir hijack: Cyprus court order suspect remanded

An Egyptian man accused of hijacking and forcing a plane to land in Cyprus on Tuesday using a fake suicide belt has appeared in court in Cyprus. The Larnaca court ordered an eight-day detention for Seif Eldin Mustafa.

The alleged hijacker demanded to see his ex-wife as soon as the plane landed in Cyprus

Possible charges include air piracy, kidnapping and threatening behaviour. He did not speak, but gave a victory sign as he was driven away by police. Cypriot authorities have described him as "psychologically unstable", saying the incident was not terrorism-related.

Mustafa giving a V-sign to journalists moments after appearing tired and drawn in court

My 'selfie' with hijacker
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How the hijacking unfolded


EgyptAir flight MS181 was carrying 56 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo, along with six crew and a security official, when it was diverted to Cyprus. During a stand-off lasting more than six hours, almost all passengers and crew were freed unharmed as authorities negotiated with Mr Mustafa.

One person, apparently a crew member, climbed out of a cockpit window, minutes before the suspect walked calmly out of the plane to surrender. Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said Mr Mustafa had initially asked to speak with his Cypriot ex-wife, who was brought to the airport by police, before making a series of "incoherent" demands.

President Nicos Anastasiades had responded to a reporter's question about whether the hijacker was motivated by romance, by laughing and saying: "Always there is a woman involved."

A photograph showing a British man posing with the hijacker inside the plane has been widely circulated. Ben Innes told the Sun newspaper he was trying to get a better look at Mr Mustafa's belt.