Turkish court formally arrests man who tried to hijack plane to Sochi

Above: Raw video of airliner grounded after attempted hijacking

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s state-run agency says a court in Istanbul has formally arrested a Ukrainian man who allegedly tried to hijack a Turkey-bound flight to Sochi, Russia, as the Winter Olympics were beginning.

READ MORE: Authorities arrest man suspected of trying to hijack plane to Sochi

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Anadolu Agency says the man, identified as Artem Kozlov, was ordered jailed on Sunday following questioning by police.

Private NTV television said he was arrested on hijacking and hostage taking charges.

READ MORE: Sochi hijack attempt over Ukrainian prisoners

The man claimed he had a bomb and tried to divert the Pegasus Airlines flight, which originated in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Friday. The pilot tricked him and landed in Istanbul instead where he was subdued by security officers who sneaked on board.

Ukrainian officials said he tried to hijack the plane to press for the release of anti-government protesters in his country.