Malaysia Airlines passenger Muhammad Arif accused of shutting down Sydney Airport with ‘slaves of Allah’ rant to remain behind bars
Malaysia Airlines passenger Muhammad Arif accused of closing Sydney airport with ‘slaves of Allah’ ranting to stay behind bars
A man accused of making an alarming bomb threat aboard a Malaysia Airlines flight will remain in custody for two months over concerns about his mental health.
Muhammad Arif caused chaos on the plane flight earlier this week when he reportedly claimed to have a bomb in his bag and ranted at the flight crew.
The flight was destined for Kuala Lumpur but was forced to return to Sydney after the 45-year-old reportedly started loudly claiming to be a ‘slave of Allah’.
Muhammad Ali Arif is accused of making alarmist claims on a Malaysia Airlines flight on August 14. Photo: YouTube
A video posted on social media by another traveler shows him arguing with flight attendants and ranting about Allah.
‘Are you a slave of Allah? Are you? Say it. Say it. Are you a slave of Allah?’ he said.
Mr Arif was arrested and charged with disobeying cabin crew safety instructions and making a false statement about threatening to damage an aircraft.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
He was due to appear in Sydney Downing Center court on Friday to apply for bail, but his lawyer Khaled Dib asked for a stay instead.
Due to his behavior, the pilot made a U-turn in the air. Photo: Mohammed Zubair
He explained that Mr Arif was still awaiting an assessment from a mental health professional after his legal team previously explained that he had “serious” mental health issues.
Once a mental health assessment report is completed, the court hears that the parties will discuss whether he is fit to proceed.
Magistrate Greg Grogin adjourned the hearing to October to give the report enough time.
It is the third time this week that the case has been postponed after two aborted bail hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, during which Arif refused to leave his cell.
He allegedly asked the passengers if they were ‘slaves of Allah’. Image: YouTube
He’s been in jail for four days. Image: YouTube
He will remain in custody for two months until the case comes to court again.
The 45-year-old has already spent four nights behind bars after being arrested Monday night when Australian Federal Police overran the plane.
Nearly 200 passengers sat on the tarmac at Sydney International Airport for three hours before Mr Arif was handcuffed and taken off the plane.