The co-pilot of an Ethiopian airliner hijacked a flight bound for Italy and landed in Switzerland on Monday, claiming to authorities that he sought asylum in the famously neutral country.
None of the 193 passengers on board were harmed, and the pilot gave himself up upon landing, according to a Reuters report.
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The flight originated from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and was headed for Rome when the co-pilot took over the flight. The lead pilot left the flight deck to use the bathroom, at which time the co-pilot locked him out, diverted the flight and notified air traffic controllers that he had hijacked the plane.
The co-pilot landed in Geneva where he exited the aircraft through a cockpit window, went down an emergency rope and surrendered to Swiss security.
"Just after landing, the co-pilot came out of the cockpit and ran to the police and said, 'I'm the hijacker.' He said he is not safe in his own country and wants asylum," said Swiss police spokesman Pierre Grangean during a news conference, according to Reuters.
A recording, purported to be of communication between the co-pilot and Geneva air traffic control, emerged but its authenticity has not been verified.
Flight trackers showed the jet circled Geneva numerous times before running low on fuel and landing.
counted at least 8 circles by Ethiopian 702 while transmitting hijack code before landing safely low on fuel. pic.twitter.com/ilR8OEmlcf— Jason Kint (@jason_kint) February 17, 2014
The man is set to be charged with kidnapping, and faces a slim chance at gaining asylum, Geneva prosecutor Olivier Jornot told The Associated Press.