Russia asks for extradition from Prague of Russian man who allegedly tried to hijack plane

Russia has requested the extradition from the Czech Republic of a Russian man who allegedly claimed to have been carrying a bomb on an Aeroflot passenger plane, forcing the airliner to land in Prague in December, prosecutors said Monday.

Photo: Russia asks for extradition from Prague of Russian man who allegedly tried to hijack plane

Russia asks for extradition from Prague of Russian man who allegedly tried to hijack plane

The Prosecutor General's office said in a statement posted on its Web site that Moscow airport police have opened a criminal case against Yevgeny Dagayev for knowingly making a false communication about an act of terrorism.

This is punishable by up to three years' prison under Russian law. Dagayev, 32, is suspected of jeopardizing an aircraft, and could face up to 15 years in prison in the Czech Republic if tried and convicted there.

The Airbus A321 had been flying Dec. 28 from Moscow to Geneva, Switzerland, when Dagayev allegedly tried to break into the cockpit, demanding that the plane fly to Africa, and threatening to set off a bomb.

Police searched the plane for explosives, but none were found, and the plane took off for Geneva later that day, reports AP.

Dagayev told Czech television he had an unspecified conflict with a crew member and wanted to complain to the plane's captain.

The crew and passengers subdued Dagayev and handed him over to Czech police when the plane landed in Prague.

Dagayev was traveling with eight family members, including three children. The family was not involved in the incident.