EgyptAir hijacker to be extradited back to Egypt

The hijacker who caught international attention after diverting an EgyptAir plane to Cyprus last week will be extradited to Cairo, authorities have confirmed.

Egyptian Seif al-Din Mohamed Mostafa, who made headline news when "selfies" of him brandishing a fake suicide belt emerged online, will be sent home to stand trial for hijacking the Alexandria-Cairo flight.

Egypt requested the extradition under a 1996 bilateral extradition treaty just days after the March 29 incident.

Although the process is being fast-tracked by authorities, the 58-year-old is not expected to be sent home for several weeks.

"Instructions were given for the relevant procedures to begin," a government official told AFP.

Mostafa faces possible charges of hijacking, kidnapping, reckless and threatening behaviour, and breaches of the anti-terror law.

Early reports suggested the man had hijacked the aircraft out of desperation to see his Cypriot ex-wife and children.

But his wife, Marina Paraschou told Cypriot media that their five years of marriage were a "black period" of her life and described Mostafa as a "dangerous man".

Social media users took to Twitter to both mock the curious events and debate Egypt's lax security as the six-hour stand-off unfolded.

Fifty-five people were on board the flight when the hijacking took place.

Most passengers were allowed to disembark in Cyprus, while the plane's captain, an assistant, a member of cabin crew and a security officer remained on board, along with three passengers.

One staff member was seen escaping through the cockpit window just moments before other hostages were released.

Mostafa was arrested by authorities and will remain in custody until his extradition papers are ready. It is unlikely he will be permitted to share photos on his return flight.