Ethiopian Airlines pilot accused of hijacking his own plane is convicted

An Ethiopian Airlines pilot has been convicted in absentia of hijacking his own plane and flying it to Geneva, 13 months after he surrendered to police there and sought asylum, reports Reuters.
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Hailemedhin Abera Tegegn was sentenced on Monday April 16 at the high court in Addis Ababa.  Its ruling also stated if Hailemedhin ever returns to Ethiopia he could face up to 20 years in jail.  

Hailemedhin was second-in-command on a B767 aircraft flying to Rome on February 17 when he took control of the aircraft when the Captain left the cockpit for a toilet break, reported Swiss police.  He then sent a coded signal announcing he had hijacked his own plane. 

Once on the tarmac, Hailemedhin scrambled down an emergency rope and surrendered to police. 

All 193 passengers were unharmed. 

It is understood Hailemedhin requested asylum because he didn’t feel safe in Ethiopia.

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