Greece says 1985 hijacking arrest a mistake, suspect freed

The Associated Press

5 years ago

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 19, 1985 file photo, a hijacker points a weapon toward an ABC ne ... — FILE – In this Wednesday, June 19, 1985 file photo, a hijacker points a weapon toward an ABC news media crew from the window of the cockpit of the Trans World Airlines jet as the American television crew approaches the jet for an interview at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon. (AP Photo/Herve Merliac, File)

ATHENS, Greece — Greek authorities say the arrest of a Lebanese man on suspicion of participation in a TWA flight hijacking in 1985 was a case of mistaken identity.

A police statement early Tuesday says the 65-year-old has been released without charges.

The man was arrested Thursday on the resort island of Mykonos, where he stopped during a cruise. His name came up as wanted by Germany over the hijacking, in which an American was killed.

From the outset the man maintained his arrest was a mistake.

Tuesday’s police statement says German authorities were unable to identify the suspect and finally said they wouldn’t be seeking his extradition because he was not the man they wanted.