EgyptAir Hijacker Arrested, All 55 Passengers Freed After Negotiations

The hijacker who forced EgyptAir Flight MS181 to land at Cyprus’ Larnaka airport has been arrested and all 55 hostages on board have been freed, following several tense hours in the Mediterranean nation. 

It’s not believed anyone onboard was harmed, but dramatic footage obtained by CNN shows an individual clamber from the grounded jet by climbing out through the cockpit window.

Earlier, the hijacker was determined not to be a politically-motivated terrorist, according to Cypriot president Nikos Anastasiades.

He said the suspected hijacker Seif El Din Mustafa had overtaken control of the flight from Alexandria to Cairo for reasons “all to do with a woman.”

Egyptian authorities confirmed that assessment, saying “he’s not a terrorist, he’s an idiot. Terrorists are crazy but they aren’t stupid. This guy is.”

The Guardian reports the man’s ex-wife was taken to the airport to assist with negotiations. The man’s demands were described as convoluted, but authorities intend to question him further. 

 

ex wife of man behind #egypt air hijacking now at #larnaka airport where #cypriot gov hopes she’ll talk sense 2 love-sick former partner

— Helena Smith (@HelenaSmithGDN) March 29, 2016

Photo: CNN / Twitter.