ECHR suspends Egyptian hijacker extradition

CAIRO – 3 November 2017: The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has forbidden Cypriot authorities from extraditing the Egyptian man, who is accused of hijacking a passenger jet, to Egypt until it can examine the case, according to the Associated Press.

The Cyprus Justice Ministry said in a statement that it has issued instructions for the suspension of extradition procedures until the ECHR issues its ruling, AP added.

A five-judge Cypriot panel upheld a lower court ruling which refused the hijacker’s defense that he may be tortured by Egyptian authorities or be subjected to an unfair trial if he returns.

Seif Eldin Mustafa, 59, is accused of using a fake suicide belt in order to be able to seize an EgyptAir plane from Alexandria to Cairo in March 2016 and redirect it to Cyprus.

The hijacking ended peacefully with his arrest and the release of the 55 passengers after a six-hour standoff.

Egypt requested that Mostafa face trial under a bilateral agreement as the two countries have a 1996 extradition treaty.