Hijacker requested asylum

The hijacker of the Egyptian aircraft has requested asylum in Cyprus. This request will be examined on the 22nd of April, on the day of hearing on the matter of his extradition to Egypt.

In the end of March the hijacker was charged by the Cypriot Court with an attempt to hijack the plane, illegal possession of explosive materials, kidnapping and terrorism. The Fileleftheros has pointed out that the laws of Egypt permit for death penalty for these kinds of offences. However, the newspaper reports, that Cairo announced that the capital punishment will not be used in relation to Seif ad-Din Mustafa.