Turkish hijackers ready to turn themselves in - report

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Tuesday October 3, 2006

Rome- The two Turkish extremists who hijacked a Turkish Airlines plane and forced it to land in the Italian city of Brindisi were ready to turn themselves in to the police and apply for political asylum in Italy, the Adnkronos news agency reported Tuesday, citing Italian aviation officials. Reports said the two hijackers were still on board the Boeing 737, along with its passengers and crew.

One member of the crew was nevertheless allowed to leave the plane, civil aviation officials said.

One of the hijackers was named as Hakan Ekinci.

Reports out of Turkey said Ekinci had earlier sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI saying that he was a Christian and a conscientious objector and that he had asked for help in avoiding military service in Turkey.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency