Seifel-Din Moustafa-Eman, a 59 year old who has been held in Nicosia since March 29 facing charges related to the hijacking of an EgyptAir flight and who was set to be extradited to Egypt has applied for asylum, Minister of Interior Socrates Hasikos has confirmed to CNA.
Hasikos, who was replying to CNA questions said review of the application will be completed soon.
The Ministry of Justice approved on April 6 the extradition of the hijacker Seif Eldin Mustafa back to Egypt. Mustafa hijacked an Egyptair flight on March 29, on a domestic flight from Alexandria en route to Cairo and forced it to land in Cyprus.
Mustafa faces charges for hijacking, illegal possession of explosives, abduction, threat of violence, attempt to cause bodily harm with the use of explosives, reckless behaviour, and offences relating to the violation of the laws on terrorism and civil aviation.
The hijacker of EgyptAir flight MS181, which landed in Larnaca Airport, surrendered himself to the Police. All passengers and crew were released unharmed and returned to Cairo.
