🔥 Trending The Story Behind the EgyptAir Hijacker's Capture

Omar Mohammed Ali Rezaq was one of three hijackers who seized EgyptAir Flight 648 in 1985 ¹³⁴. This event is considered one of Malta's darkest chapters ⁷.

The Hijacking of EgyptAir Flight 648 (1985)

On November 23, 1985, EgyptAir Flight 648, an Athens-bound Boeing 737, was hijacked shortly after taking off from Athens, Greece ⁷. The hijackers were part of the Abu Nidal Organization, a Palestinian militant group. The plane was forced to land in Luqa, Malta ⁷.

During the standoff, the hijackers began executing passengers. The situation escalated when Egyptian commandos stormed the plane, leading to a violent confrontation. This operation resulted in a significant loss of life, with dozens of passengers and crew members killed ⁷. Many of the casualties were due to the commando raid itself, which was widely criticized for its execution.

Rezaq's Capture and Imprisonment

Omar Rezaq, a Lebanese-born Palestinian militant, was the only surviving perpetrator of the hijacking ⁴.

Initial Capture and Trial

After the hijacking, Rezaq was initially arrested and tried in Malta. However, he was later released due to legal complexities and a lack of evidence at the time, which sparked international criticism.

Arrest in Nigeria (1993)

Years later, in July 1993, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an operation to apprehend Rezaq ²³. Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) played a crucial role in his arrest. According to Dennis Amachree, a retired assistant director of the DSS, the operation began when the then Director of Operations at the DSS received intelligence from the FBI regarding Rezaq's presence in Lagos ³.

Rezaq was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The operation was swift, reportedly completed within 15 minutes ²³. The DSS worked closely with the FBI to ensure his capture ².

Trial and Sentencing in the U.S. (1996)

Following his arrest in Nigeria, Rezaq was extradited to the United States. In 1996, he stood trial in Washington D.C. ⁴. He was convicted of air piracy and sentenced to life in prison ⁵.

Current Status

As of July 2026, Omar Rezaq is still serving his prison sentence in the U.S. ⁵. His case remains a notable example of international cooperation in combating terrorism and bringing hijackers to justice.