Cyprus Police Cite Egypt Assurances over Hijacker Extradition
Cyprus police Thursday told the extradition hearing of a man accused of hijacking an EgyptAir plane that Cairo had given assurances he would receive a fair trial and not face the death penalty.
The legal process is underway to extradite Egyptian Seif al-Din Mohamed Mostafa, 58, to face trial in Cairo.
"A big part of the case is that Mustafa’s life is in danger due to torture if he is sent back to Egypt," defense lawyer Robertos Vrahimi said.
Mostafa is fighting his extradition on the grounds he will not receive a fair trial in Egypt, arguing he could be tortured or face the death penalty.
But a police witness tried to assure the court in Nicosia that Mostafa was not at risk if sent back to Egypt.
"Under Egyptian laws, Mostafa will not receive the death penalty for the crimes he is accused of," Vakis Prodromou, a CID inspector.
He said Egyptian authorities had guaranteed a fair trial and reassured Cyprus that Mostafa will not be tortured and his human rights will be respected.
Mostafa’s initial statement to Cyprus police and his list of demands submitted during the March 29 hijacking were also raised in court.
"Motives given for committing the hijack included the unfair imprisonment of 63 women in Egypt, and social and economic inequalities that Egyptian citizens are currently suffering," said Prodromou.
He said although nobody was harmed in the hijacking, "passengers suffered psychological distress."
Proceedings were adjourned until June 1.
Mostafa’s request for asylum has been refused as Cypriot authorities deem him a "perpetrator of serious crimes."
He is accused of using a fake suicide belt to seize the flight from Alexandria in northern Egypt to Cairo and force it to land in Larnaca, a coastal resort in southern Cyprus.
Mostafa is described by authorities as psychologically unstable.
According to police, Mostafa gave a voluntary statement admitting to the hijacking, which ended peacefully with his arrest.
Most of the 55 passengers were quickly released after the plane landed, but some escaped only minutes before the six-hour standoff finished.
Source: Agence France Presse
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/210197 |