Cyprus court orders Egyptian hijacker extradited

A Cyprus court today approved a request from the Egyptian government to extradite a man who hijacked a domestic EgyptAir flight with a fake suicide belt and diverted it to Cyprus.

Judge Dona Constantinou ordered that Egyptian Seif Eddin Mustafa be extradited within 10 days and remain in police custody until then. Mustafa's lawyer Robertos Brahimis told the Associated Press that he's been instructed by his client to appeal the decision.

Mustafa claims he hijacked the EgyptAir jet in March to underscore the wrongs done by Egypt's military-backed government and that he meant no harm to anyone. The hijack ended peacefully after all 72 passengers and crew were released and Mustafa was arrested.
 

Mustafa has fought his extradition, saying he fears that he could be tortured or even killed at the hands of Egyptian authorities if he's sent back.

But Constantinou rejected Mustafa's argument, saying the 59-year-old had opted to stay in Egypt despite his claims that the country doesn't respect human rights.

"While he claims being prosecuted and tortured by Egyptian authorities, he never abandoned Egypt and continued to live there even after being issued a legitimate passport," Constantinou said in her 42-page decision. Mustafa showed no emotion as he listened to a translation of the judge's decision.

Constantinou said Mustafa failed to persuade the court that Egyptian authorities had ever persecuted him for his political beliefs. She said that he never specified any recent actions, participation in protests or that he has been tried on charges relating to his politics.

His numerous incarcerations in Egypt had to do with his use of forged passports for travelling outside the country, said the judge.

"(Mustafa) never suggested political motives for his actions," Constantinou said, adding that he applied for political asylum only after Egyptian authorities requested his extradition.

The judge said Mustafa faces hijacking charges in Egypt that don't carry the death penalty. Cypriot officials said during the proceedings that Egyptian authorities had given formal assurances Mustafa would receive a fair trial and have all his rights respected.