Co-pilot held in Swiss hijack drama
- 10 years ago
An Ethiopian Airlines plane sits on the tarmac at Geneva international airport after a hijacking by its own co-pilot.
Swiss police are questioning the man who locked the cockpit door when the captain went to the toilet.
He diverted the flight from Rome to Geneva where he clambered from the cockpit window on a rope and gave himself up.
Police said he was unarmed and there was no risk at any time to fellow crew members or passengers.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) GENEVA POLICE SPOKESMAN PHILIPPE GRANGEAN SAYING:
"His act was motivated by the fact that he says he feels threatened in his own country and wants to apply for asylum in Switzerland."
Monday's drama caused the cancellation of some short-haul flights and some incoming flights were diverted to other airports.
Swiss police are questioning the man who locked the cockpit door when the captain went to the toilet.
He diverted the flight from Rome to Geneva where he clambered from the cockpit window on a rope and gave himself up.
Police said he was unarmed and there was no risk at any time to fellow crew members or passengers.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) GENEVA POLICE SPOKESMAN PHILIPPE GRANGEAN SAYING:
"His act was motivated by the fact that he says he feels threatened in his own country and wants to apply for asylum in Switzerland."
Monday's drama caused the cancellation of some short-haul flights and some incoming flights were diverted to other airports.