Passenger detained for attempting to hijack Russian plane

MOSCOW - A passenger was detained on Tuesday for attempting to hijack a Russian airliner en route from the Siberian city of Surgut to Moscow, the Russian Investigative Committee said in a statement.

According to preliminary reports, an intoxicated man tried to break into the cockpit during the flight and threatened to use a weapon, demanding that the crew change the route, the statement said.

Local reports said that the passenger wanted to fly to Afghanistan, but the Investigative Committee has not confirmed the desired destination.

The aircraft commander decided to make an emergency landing in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk, some 300 km to the east of Surgut, the statement said.

The detainee was identified as a resident of Surgut with a criminal record for damaging property.

An investigation supported by the Russian Federal Security Service is underway.