Aeroflot jetliner lands in Prague after apparent hijacking attempt

A Russian Aeroflot airliner made an unscheduled landing at Prague's Ruzyne international airport on Thursday after an apparent hijacking attempt, police said. A passenger aboard was detained by police.

Photo: Aeroflot jetliner lands in Prague after apparent hijacking attempt

The Airbus A320 flying from Moscow to Geneva, landed in Prague shortly before 11 a.m. (1000 GMT), airport spokeswoman Pavlina Hajkova said.

Police spokesman Pavel Hantak said that the alleged hijacker was "pacified on board the plane" and the man, a Russian citizen, was taken into custody by Czech police.

Pantak said the man been threatening the crew of the plane but did not elaborate on what sort of threats were made, the AP said.

Deputy director of Aeroflot, Lev Koshlyakov, told Rossiya television, "One of the passengers said he had an explosive device."

Hantak said it was not immediately clear when the plane could resume its flight to Switzerland.