Man accused of hijacking EgyptAir and forcing it to land in Cyprus at Larnaca airport remanded for eight days in police custody after making first court appearance in Cyprus on Wednesday
Egyptian Seif al-Din Mohamed Mostafa, 58, faces charges of hijacking, kidnapping people with the aim of taking them to unknown destination, reckless and threatening behaviour and offences that breach anti-terror law.
Cyprus authorities have described Mostafa as ‘psychologically unstable’ and that the case is not “terrorism-related”; adding that his motives were personal and related to his ex-wife who is Cypriot and has children with.
Mostafa did not utter a word in court and is expected to make a plea when a formal hearing starts later.
The hijacking caused a six hour stand-off at the airport with main entry point of the airport being closed.
No one was hurt in the hijacking, with all passengers reported to have been released and cabin crew safely evacuated.
