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Hijackers of Russian Plane to Be Tried in Saudi Arabia
The three hijackers of a Russian plane will be tried at the Saudi Islamic Sharia Court, the Saudi Interior Ministry said on Sunday.
"The investigation procedures have been completed by the concerned agencies. The culprits will be tried in line with the seventh article of the Hague and Montreal agreements," Interior Minister Nayef Ibn Abdul-Aziz was quoted by Kuwait's official KUNA news agency as saying.
According to the agreements, the country to which any plane is hijacked has the right to try the hijackers on its territories, Nayef added.
He stressed that the culprits will receive a "fair trial" in line with Saudi laws, adding that "they will have the full chance to defend themselves."
On March 15, three Chechens hijacked a Russian Tu-154 airliner half an hour after its takeoff from the Turkish city of Istanbul, and forced it to land in Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi security forces stormed the airplane the next day, seizing the hijackers and freeing all hostages.
Russia has been demanding the kingdom extradite the hijackers.
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