US University Lecturer Hijacked Egyptian A320

An EgyptAir passenger plane en route Alexandria - Cairo was hijacked and landed at Larnaca airport in Cyprus. The hijacker threatened the commander and passengers that he would undermine the suicide belt if his demands were not met.

There were 81 people on board. The captured Egyptian A320 immediately allowed Egyptian citizens to leave the plane, so 20 passengers left the plane that landed at Larnaca airport. It is reported that there were 8 British citizens and 10 US citizens on board.

The hijacker of the Egyptian A320 has demanded the withdrawal of police forces from Larnaca airport, according to the Cypriot news agency. As a result of negotiations with the hijacker, 50 passengers with carry-on luggage were released, with the exception of five foreigners and the crew that sat down in Larnaca of the Egyptian A320.

The hijacker of the Egyptian plane, which is the Egyptian Ibrahim Samaha, asked for political asylum in Cyprus, as reported by the Greek TV channel Sky. The portal of the publication "Al-Ahram", citing sources in the special services, reports that the hijacker of the Egyptian plane, Ibrahim Samaha, is a lecturer at a university in the American state of Atlanta.