Two Saudis who hijacked a Saudi Arabian Airlines jet were under interrogation, the Iraqi News Agency reported after all the passengers and crew had been safely released late saturday, said AFP.
The official news agency quoted the chief negotiator as saying "two hijackers had decided to force a plane to Baghdad because this country refuses American hegemony."
"They said the Saudi people are subjugated and there are human rights violations in Saudi Arabia," INA said. The Iraqi authorities "want to know why the pair carried out the hijacking."
An interior ministry official had quoted one of the hijackers as charging that the human rights watchdog Amnesty International is bribed to hush up over violations in Saudi Arabia.
He told the Iraqi authorities that he chose Iraq as a destination because the country “refuses to be under American domination.”
The official, Taher Habboush, had told reporters at a press briefing monitored on Al Jazira satellite channel that there were four hijackers, believed to be Saudis, threatening to blow up the airliner.
Haboush, who appeared satisfied with the end of the drama, did not say what the demands of the hijackers were.
INA did not mention their nationality, but said the hijackers were escorted off the Boeing 777 before the passengers.
There had been no violence nor anyone harmed, INA added, quoted by the agency.
It said 90 passengers and 14 crew were put up in a Baghdad hotel for the night after having a meal. Al Jazira correspondent who was at Baghdad Airport said the hijackers were taken in cars.
The station said the hijackers had requested political asylum and Iraq was considering the request.
Transport Minister Ahmad Murteda had been in the control tower following proceedings, INA said -- (Several Sources)
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