Georgian citizen tried to hijack plane flying from Kutaisi to Minsk

An attempt to hijack an aircraft was made this morning.

The news was spread by the Belarusian State Security Committee (KGB).

The pilot in command received a message from a passenger on board who threatened with an explosion and demanded to alter the course to a European country.

The plane was carrying 32 passengers, including one child, and four crew members.

“The place landed at the National Airport Minsk at 6:50 a.m. due to professional actions by the pilots,” the KGB press release reads.

Representatives of the KGB's counter-terrorism department and the group A went on board and held negotiations with the person who had sent the message. He appeared to be a citizen of Georgia born in 1973.

The offender agreed to leave the plane and voluntary surrendered to KGB officers at 8:10 a.m.

The KGB opened a criminal case over part 2 of article 311 (hijacking or an attempt to hijack an aircraft) of the Criminal Code of Belarus. The law-enforcement agencies are carrying out an investigation.

According to BelaPAN news agency, the KGB doesn't say which air company owns the plane, but to all appearances, it was Belavia's flight B2 0732. On Tuesdays, Belavia operates the flight from Kutaisi to Minsk. The CRJ plane departs from Georgia at 4:40 a.m. (local time) and arrives in Minsk at 6:35 a.m.

Photo: belavia.by