Imagine being on a flight, ready to relax and enjoy your journey, when suddenly a passenger’s erratic behavior turns the plane into a scene of chaos.
This is exactly what happened on Malaysia Airlines flight MH122, just an hour and a half after taking off from Sydney Airport.
Muhammad Arif, a 46-year-old man, stood up in the aisle, wearing his backpack on his chest, and started clashing with his fellow travelers.
What Happened Onboard
According to court documents, Arif had been acting strangely even before the incident. He had been chanting, laughing, and praying as the plane taxied and took off, prompting cabin crew to allow concerned passengers to move to other seats.
But things took a turn for the worse when Arif started arguing with other passengers and making threats. He pointed at a crew member and said “dajjal,” meaning anti-Christ in Arabic, and told them to “move back” and “get lost.”
The Bomb Threat
As the situation escalated, Arif made a bomb threat, saying “If you come near my bag, it might explode.” He repeated “Allahu akbar” a dozen times, and a crew member placed a hand on his backpack.
A passenger even told Arif he could “knock him out in two seconds,” to which Arif replied “do it” and added that the man had the heart of a mouse.
The crew member, fearing for the safety of the aircraft, reported the incident to the captain, who advised air traffic control of the threat and turned the plane back to Sydney.
The Aftermath
The plane was stuck on the tarmac for three hours, causing 32 domestic flights to be canceled and others delayed. Arif was eventually arrested by Australian Federal Police and taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.
No explosive devices were found on the plane or in Arif’s belongings. Arif later pleaded guilty to making a false statement about a plan, proposal, attempt, conspiracy, or threat to destroy, damage, or endanger the safety of the aircraft.
Arif’s Troubled Past
It was revealed that Arif had been going through a tough time in his personal life. He had just quit his job as a vehicle patrol security guard in Canberra and was in the midst of a marriage breakdown.
In the hours leading up to the incident, Arif had handed in his resignation letter, stating he was a “free man” and wanted to enjoy life.
He had also withdrawn $6000 from an ATM and purchased a plane ticket to Pakistan via Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Oman.
The Sentence
Arif was sentenced to a 14-month term of imprisonment, to be served as an intensive correction order in the community. He must not reoffend and must comply with directions regarding his mental health treatment, including the advice of a psychiatrist.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing passenger safety and the need for effective communication and intervention in situations like these.