Man charged over emergency situation at Sydney Airport on Malaysia Airlines flight

A 45-year-old Canberra man has been charged for allegedly claiming to have explosives on board the Malaysia Airlines flight at Sydney Airport.

The man at the centre of the Malaysian Airlines incident, left. Picture: Supplied

A 45-year-old Canberra man has been charged for allegedly claiming to have explosives on board the Malaysia Airlines flight yesterday at Sydney Airport, the AFP says.

The man was charged with one count of false statement about threat to damage of aircraft, and not complying with cabin crew’s safety instruction. 3

Each charge carries a maximum ten-year prison sentence.

“During the flight, a male passenger allegedly became disruptive and claimed to have explosives on board,” a statement read.

“The AFP arrested the man without incident last night.”

He is scheduled to appear in Downing Centre Local Court, Sydney, later today.

A man, who claimed he had a bomb in his bag and that he was a “slave of Allah,” allegedly grounded a Malaysia Airlines flight and forced Australian Federal Police officers to swarm Sydney Airport.

The AFP on Monday night said it was responding to an “emergency situation” after the man stood up with a backpack across his chest and started ranting to airplane staff.

A video posted to X (formerly Twitter) showed the man confronting a flight attendant, repeating he was a “slave of Allah”.

“My name is Mohammed, slave of Allah,” he said.

“Are you a slave of Allah? Are you? Say it. Say it! Are you a slave of Allah?” the man continued, seemingly asking a flight attendant. That attendant could be heard replying: “Yes I am”.

He reportedly also said he had a bomb in his bag when he faced questioning from airplane staff.

The man was later arrested and all passengers left the plane safely.

#Sydney Airport is suffering at the hands of this lunatic as he has taken #MH122 hostage. Praying for everyone's safety and well being.

Where is Airport security?! Its been well over an hour since the plane has landed back!!! pic.twitter.com/rSWExD9EXm

— Jawad Nazir ✈ (@jawadmnazir) August 14, 2023

Another passenger on board said all travellers had been moved to the back of the plane, which remained on the international taxiway as fire trucks surrounded it.

A passenger told NCA NewsWire that the man allegedly began threatening people to not “touch his bag”.

“He was threatening people that he had a bag,” a Mr Zubair said. “He was chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ and when staff tried to calm him down, he said don’t come near him or he will blow the bomb in his bag.”

A Sydney Airport spokesperson earlier had said: “We are supporting emergency agencies in the management of an incident at the airport.”

“The airport is operational with flights arriving and departing,” the spokesperson said.

“Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airline regarding the status of their flight.”

Flight staff talk to the man on the tarmac in Sydney. Picture: Supplied

Flightradar showed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH122 had touched back down in Sydney after having departed at 1.06pm earlier on Monday.

The Airbus A330 appeared then to be marooned on one of the airport’s taxiways which ­was parallel to a north-south runway.

A spokesperson for the AFP said: “The AFP is responding to an emergency incident at Sydney International Airport. An update will be provided at an appropriate time.”

Meanwhile, another passenger posted a video of the man, saying: “Sydney Airport is suffering at the hands of this lunatic.”

“Where is airport security?! It’s been well over an hour since the plane has landed back!!!,” the passenger wrote.

In another video, a traveller said: “This lunatic is getting ­aggressive …”.

This lunatic is getting aggressive & poor people on board are still waiting for security to get in and take him to Allah through the right process. #MH122 is taken hostage by this lunatic giving Billion of Muslims a bad name. 👎 #Sydney Airport is waiting for what?! pic.twitter.com/n9cdThn8ZJ

— Jawad Nazir ✈ (@jawadmnazir) August 14, 2023

Additional reporting: NCA NewsWire