Story highlights Seif El Din Mustafa is formally charged with hijacking the EgyptAir flight

He confessed in front of a judge Wednesday, Cyprus police say

Police say the confession amounts to a guilty plea

(CNN) The man who hijacked an EgyptAir flight to Cairo and diverted it to Cyprus has been formally charged by Cypriot authorities.

Seif El Din Mustafa is charged with hijacking, kidnapping, threatening violence, threatening use of explosives and civil aviation law violations, according to Cyprus police.

He admitted to the crimes in court Wednesday.

"He confessed before the judge in the court, it is a guilty plea," Cyprus police told CNN.

Mustafa remains in custody and faces further interrogations, police said. Investigators are also taking additional statements from passengers.

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