20000104

'British freed

after hijack drama

can return to UK'

LONDON: A British freed by India after the hijacking of an Indian Airlines passenger plane has the right to return to Britain if he wishes, the British Foreign Office said late on Sunday.

Some 160 people, held hostage by five hijackers, were released in Afghanistan a few hours before the New Year on the eighth day of hijacking.

Among the three freed was Ahmad Omar Sayyed, 26, who had been held in New Delhi since 1994.

In New Delhi, he was identified as Ahmed Umar Syed Sheikh and said to have been involved in kidnappings.

For the moment he has not expressed the wish to return to Britain, but a foreign office spokesman said: "He is a British citizen, he has not been convicted of any offence overseas and therefore he would be allowed to re-enter this country".

If requested, the spokesman said, the British consular services would offer assistance to the young man as to any other British citizen.ÑAFP