Co-pilot hijacks Ethiopian plane

[Jimbuna]

Quite an innovative way to seek asylum (individual-wise).

The co-pilot of an Ethiopian Airlines plane flying from Addis Ababa to Rome has hijacked the aircraft and landed in Geneva, Swiss police say.

The hijacker - who has been arrested - waited for the pilot to go to the toilet to lock himself in the cockpit. He was unarmed. He has requested asylum in Switzerland.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26222674

[swamprat69er]

Now what is Switzerland going to do about it? Will they ship him back or prosecute him and give him 20 years in the can and then ship him back. (With a criminal record he is probably an 'undesirable'.)

[Jimbuna]

A tough one to call but I think he'll be sent back unless the Swiss are convinced his life will be at risk.

[swamprat69er]

Forcible confinement carries a 20 year sentence in Switzerland. BUt the passengers were on a plane, it isn't like they could leave at any time.

[Skybird]

Wowh, to commit a criminal act that puts many people at risk and then trying to blackmail the "host" by claiming that as a seeking of asylum, is rich.

Send back to sender, immediately, and let the Ethiopian law enforcement deal with him.

There is always a risk in situation like this that police or military feel like needing to intervene (especially after 9/11), or the situation on board gets out of hand due to passengers or crew starting some action. The description of "the passengers never were at risk", always is more or less unjustified in stories like this. American cops tazer people by regular procedure now - to reduce risks that are much, much smaller, than what has happened here.

P.S. Also, I think this case shall not be allowed to be turned into a precedence of how to enforce asylum. But I think there will be human rights groups who will try exactly this.

[swamprat69er]

Originally Posted by Skybird

American cops tazer people by regular procedure now - to reduce risks that are much, much smaller, than what has happened here.

Canadian cops tazer old people here. Old retirees.

[Jimbuna]

Easy targets perhaps?

[swamprat69er]

I think that they (cops) are afraid they might get run over by their (retirees) wheelchairs.

[Wolferz]

Originally Posted by swamprat69er

I think that they (cops) are afraid they might get run over by their (retirees) wheelchairs.

It protects the Mounties from a cane or walker upside the head. Yes?

As for the Ethiopian fellow, I think he'd been better off if he'd flown to Switzerland as a passenger.
Asking for asylum after committing a crime isn't the best way to ingratiate yourself.

[swamprat69er]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

It protects the Mounties from a cane or walker upside the head. Yes?

As for the Ethiopian fellow, I think he'd been better off if he'd flown to Switzerland as a passenger.
Asking for asylum after committing a crime isn't the best way to ingratiate yourself.

Not only the mounties. The local yokels, too.

Commit a crime to get into the country? Great way to get your butt thrown out.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by swamprat69er

Not only the mounties. The local yokels, too.

Commit a crime to get into the country? Great way to get your butt thrown out.

Not if you opt for non-working hours

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...31#post2177431