Berlin, 7 January 1997 (RFE/RL) - A Bosnian man who says he faces deportation from Germany today hijacked a plane with 28 people on board in a bid to remain in the country. He was overpowered and no one was injured.
The Austrian Airlines plane was on the way from Berlin to Vienna when the man threatened the pilot with a knife and ordered him to fly back to Berlin. The plane landed in Berlin and taxied into an open hangar, where security forces prepared to negotiate with the hijacker.
Ruediger Reiff, a spokesman at Berlin's justice ministry, said as the man was standing in the open plane doorway, talking to officials, he was pushed from behind and fell out. He was overpowered and taken into custody.
Reiff said the unidentified hijacker demanded a German residence and work permit.
Austrian Airlines officials said the man was not being expelled on the Austrian Airlines flight, but was a regular passenger.
The Austrian Airlines plane was on the way from Berlin to Vienna when the man threatened the pilot with a knife and ordered him to fly back to Berlin. The plane landed in Berlin and taxied into an open hangar, where security forces prepared to negotiate with the hijacker.
Ruediger Reiff, a spokesman at Berlin's justice ministry, said as the man was standing in the open plane doorway, talking to officials, he was pushed from behind and fell out. He was overpowered and taken into custody.
Reiff said the unidentified hijacker demanded a German residence and work permit.
Austrian Airlines officials said the man was not being expelled on the Austrian Airlines flight, but was a regular passenger.