An Aeroflot flight from the Siberian city of Surgut to Moscow was forced to land some 240km short of its destination after a passenger reportedly demanded that the plane be diverted to Afghanistan.
Flight SU1515 has landed in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk. The would-be hijacker has been detained, Russia’s Investigative Committee confirms.
The unruly passenger was drunk, investigators say. He tried to break into the cockpit, claiming he was armed. But no weapons were found on him.
Sources say the plane landed after the crew convinced the unruly passenger that the plane required refueling.
The passenger was either drunk or mentally unstable, sources have told Russian media. He has been detained multiple times before for drunk and disorderly behaviour, Interfax news agency reports.
At least 10 police squads were dispatched to the airport, according to an RIA Novosti reporter at the scene.
The Boeing 737 reportedly has 69 passengers and seven crew members on board.
A photo of the would-be hijacker has emerged in the Russian media. Sources have identified him only as 41-year-old Pavel. Authorities have yet to confirm his identity.
The man could now be charged with hijacking an aircraft. Under Russian law, the charges bear a prison term of up to eight years, or up to 12 years if the perpetrator was armed or used violence.
