JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - A man claiming to be a member of al-Qaida was arrested Monday for trying to hijack a plane on a flight from Botswana to Johannesburg, police said.
The man, whose nationality and identity were not released, was arrested on charges of attempting to hijack the Air Botswana aircraft and unlawful interference with a plane and its crew, police spokesman Senior Superintendent Vish Naidoo said.
He said the man was overpowered and taken in for questioning shortly after the plane landed at about 6:15 p.m. at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. "While passengers and crew were highly traumatized, there was no real threat to their safety," he said. Naidoo said the man had surrendered after seeing the plane surrounded and asked to speak to an officer. Chris Hlakane, manager for the Airports Company South Africa, said there were 23 passengers aboard the plane and they were being questioned by police.
The man, who was not armed, claimed to be a member of al-Qaida, he said. "He was unruly in the aircraft and tried to force his way into cockpit but was not successful. He claimed to be an al-Qaida member and claimed to have a list of demands," Hlakane said, without elaborating. Hlakane said safety and security personnel conducted an emergency evacuation of the plane and isolated it on the runway.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/16520000.htm
Thanks Oorang.
I wonder if he was a lone stranger or if there are other planes ready to go?
Updates appreciated.