Ethiopian pilot who hijacked plane was distraught over death in family, uncle says
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The uncle of an Ethiopian pilot who hijacked a flight to Rome and took it to Geneva says his nephew had been distraught over the loss of another uncle.
The uncle, Alemu Asmamaw, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Tuesday that 31-year-old co-pilot Hailemedhin's Abera was in emotional distress over the past month following the sudden death of an uncle.
He did not say how Hailemedhin's uncle died.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hailemedhin, who had worked for Ethiopian Airlines for five years, on Monday locked the pilot of a Rome-bound flight out of the cockpit and then diverted the plane to Geneva, where he sought asylum.
Geneva prosecutor Olivier Jornot said the co-pilot will be charged with taking hostages, a crime punishable by up to 20 years.