Ethiopian co-pilot hijacked jet after locking pilot out - police

Police search passengers after helping them disembark from the hijacked Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 702 at Cointrin Airport in Geneva February 17, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

GENEVA (Reuters) - A hijacked Ethiopian plane that landed at Geneva airport early on Monday was diverted from Rome by the co-pilot, who sought asylum due to fear of persecution in Ethiopia, police spokesman Pierre Grangean told a news conference. The unnamed co-pilot, an Ethiopian born in 1983, locked the cockpit door when the pilot went to the toilet. He then asked to refuel at Geneva, landed the plane, climbed down from the cockpit window on a rope, and gave himself up to police. He was unarmed and there was no risk at any time to crew or passengers, Grangean said. The co-pilot is being questioned by police. (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by John Stonestreet)