US embassy cable - 02COLOMBO1662

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001662 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, DS/DSS/ITA, S/CT; NSC FOR E. MILLARD; 
LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL 
 
E.O. 12958:  DECL:  09-09-12 
TAGS: PTER, PGOV, EAIR, ASEC, CASC, MV, IN, SE 
SUBJECT:  Crew foils attempt to hijack Air Seychelles 
flight; Alleged perpetrator in Maldivian custody 
 
Refs:  (A) Colombo-SA/INS 09-09-02 fax 
-      (B) Ops Center-Colombo 09-09-02 telecons 
-      (C) FBIS Reston Va DTG 090617Z Sep 02 
 
(U) Classified by W. Lewis Amselem, Charge d'Affaires. 
Reasons 1.5 (b, d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Maldivian authorities have confirmed 
that there was an attempted hijacking of an Air 
Seychelles airliner on September 9.  The crew subdued a 
passenger armed with a knife who tried to enter the 
cockpit.  One member of the crew was injured in the 
incident.  The flight landed safely in the Maldives, 
where the alleged perpetrator has been detained.  The 
Maldivian investigation into the incident continues. 
End Summary. 
 
2.  (SBU) Maldivian authorities have confirmed that 
there was an attempted hijacking of an Air Seychelles 
airliner earlier today (September 9).  According to 
preliminary information gathered from sources in the 
Maldivian government, a passenger aboard an Air 
Seychelles flight (HM01017 from Mumbai to the Seychelles 
via the Maldives) attempted to enter the plane's cockpit 
at around 0500 hrs local time (+4 GMT) this morning, but 
was subdued by crew members.  The man was armed with a 
knife and indicated that he wanted to divert the 
aircraft.  One member of the crew was slightly injured 
during the incident.  After the plane landed safely in 
the Maldives, the alleged perpetrator was immediately 
placed in the custody of the Maldivian National Security 
Service.  (Note:  Also see Colombo DAO IIR Septel for 
additional information.) 
 
3.  (U) (((Note:  Ref C AFP report asserts that the 
incident involved two attempted hijackers, which 
contradicts the information we have received from 
Maldivian contacts.  The report adds that the Air 
Seychelles flight had 200 passengers on board.))) 
 
4.  (SBU) Maldivian authorities have told us that they 
continue to investigate the incident and will pass 
whatever information they turn up to us.  They report 
that one AmCit was on board the flight and was unharmed. 
There is no information indicating a possible political 
motivation to the attempted hijacking available at this 
time.  The nationality of the alleged perpetrator is not 
clear.  He was apparently carrying an Indian passport, 
but Maldivian authorities have told us that the passport 
was apparently a forgery.  (Note:  The Indian passport, 
number S790172, identified the alleged perpetrator as 
Chandra Babu Sasi; DoB 20-08-1970.)  Maldivian 
authorities have said to us that the man looks as if he 
could be an "Indian or Bangladeshi," but they are not 
sure. 
 
5.  (C) Comment:  As far as we are aware, this is the 
first attempted hijacking involving the Maldives in any 
way.  At this point, there is no indication that the 
incident involves an Islamic extremist aspect, but it is 
still too early to say for sure.  The Maldivian 
government has been a solid member of the international 
coalition against terrorism and we expect that it will 
brief us thoroughly as it continues to investigate the 
incident.  End Comment. 
 
6.  (U) Minimize considered. 
 
AMSELEM