Early Reports Of Two Hijackers Inaccurate; Man Asks For Asylum

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 10.03.06 1800 EDT: The lone man who hijacked a Turkish Airlines 737-400 Tuesday surrendered to authorities shortly after the plane landed in southern Italy, releasing all 113 passengers unharmed following an incident that demonstrated how hijackings remain a very real threat in the post 9/11 world.

Transport Minister Binali Yildirim told The Associated Press the hijacker, whom he identified as Hakan Ekinci, was seeking to evade military service in his native Turkey. There were also reports the hijacker was an army deserter who had fled to Albania.

"It has nothing to do with the pope's visit; it was a simple attempt of seeking political asylum under the influence of psychological problems," Yildirim said. Italian police believe he acted alone... but were investigating whether Ekinci had an accomplice on board.

Initial reports stating there were two hijackers were incorrect, according to Turkish officials, as were reports stating the hijackers -- plural -- were protesting Pope Benedict XVI's planned visit to Turkey next month.

The man is reportedly seeking political asylum.

ORIGINAL REPORT

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 10.03.06 1230 EDT: A Turkish Airlines plane bound for Istanbul from Tirana has apparently been hijacked over Greek airspace, according to media reports, and flown to Italy.

The plane, believed to be a Boeing 737 with 150 passengers and six crewmembers onboard, landed in Brindisi, Italy a short time ago. Authorities were first made aware of the hijacking when the plane's crew squawked a discreet transponder code.

"The plane sent the (coded hijack) signal twice while in Greek air space. Four Greek fighter jets took off and accompanied the plane as it left Greek air space towards the Italian city of Brindisi," a Greek defense ministry official told Reuters.

Unconfirmed reports state there are two hijackers onboard, who are protesting plans for Pope Benedict XVI to visit Turkey next month.

There are no reports of injuries... and in a sign of perhaps good news, private Turkish television station NTV reports both hijackers are ready to surrender.

Candan Karlitekin, chairman of the Turkish Airlines board of directors, told the Associated Press the hijackers clearly said they did not intend to harm any passengers.

"The passengers are not under any threat," Karlitekin said. "They will surrender, they declared that they will surrender the moment they hijacked the plane."

This is the second hijacking in just over three years for Turkish Airlines. Another 737 flying for the carrier was hijacked in 2003 by a 20-year-old man reportedly distraught by family problems. That situation (above right) was resolved peacefully when the man surrendered to police in Athens, Greece. Authorities found the device the man purported to be a bomb, was in reality a group of candles bound together.

ANN will continue to follow this story, and update as more information becomes available.

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