Maltese Police Deport Libyan Citizen After 8-Year Sentence for 2016 Plane Hijacking

A Libyan citizen convicted of hijacking an Afriqiyah Airways plane in 2016 has been deported from Malta after serving an 8-year prison sentence. The individual was found guilty of kidnapping and terrorism and remained detained after completing their sentence because of non-cooperation with authorities.

Why this matters: This deportation has implications for international security and counter-terrorism efforts, as it sets a precedent for handling hijacking cases. The ban on the individual's entry into Malta and other EU countries also ensures that they cannot pose a threat to citizens in those regions.

The hijacking incident occurred in December 2016 when two Libyans, Suhaha Mussa and Ahmed Alid, hijacked an Afriqiyah Airways A320 plane in Libyan airspace using fake weapons. The plane, which was on a domestic flight from Sebha to Tripoli, was diverted to Malta.

The hijackers claimed to be from a group supporting former Libyan regime leader Muammar Gaddafi. They threatened to blow up the plane, but their weapons were later found to be fake. After a four-hour standoff, the hijackers surrendered to soldiers, and all 111 passengers and six crew members were safely released.

One of the hijackers was convicted of hijacking and terrorism and served an 8-year prison sentence in Malta. Post-release, the hijacker was detained because of non-cooperation with authorities. The Maltese police have now deported the Libyan citizen, who is barred from entering Malta or any other European Union country.

The hijacking incident occurred on December 23, 2016. The plane landed in Malta at 11:32 am, and the standoff concluded at 3:20 pm. The passengers were primarily Libyan nationals. The destination of the deported hijacker remains undisclosed.

This deportation marks the end of a significant chapter in the 2016 hijacking case. The Libyan citizen will not be allowed to enter Malta or any other European Union country, ensuring that the individual remains outside the EU's jurisdiction.

Key Takeaways

• Libyan citizen convicted of 2016 Afriqiyah Airways hijacking deported from Malta.
• Individual served 8-year prison sentence for kidnapping and terrorism.
• Deportation sets precedent for handling hijacking cases, ensuring international security.
• Individual banned from entering Malta and other EU countries, posing no threat.
• Deportation marks end of 2016 hijacking case, ensuring individual remains outside EU jurisdiction.