Updated

The lawyer for an Egyptian hijacker fighting his extradition has been given 17 days by a Cypriot court to seek out a human rights expert who could support Seif Eddin Mustafa's argument that being sent back could put his life at risk.

Judge Dona Constantinou on Tuesday granted laywer Robertos Brahimis' adjournment request so as not to deny Mustafa's main line of defense against his extradition.

Brahimis said Egyptian human rights experts are unwilling to travel to Cyprus and testify against their country. He said he's in touch with Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network and other high-profile academics dealing with human rights issues.

The March 29 hijacking of a domestic EgyptAir flight ended peacefully with all 72 passengers and crew released and Mustafa arrested.