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Man in Hong Kong court over 'Toblerone-armed' hijacking

A passenger wearing a blanket as a cape and brandishing a 'Toblerone' bar demanded an airliner sh...
Newstalk
Newstalk

16.48 18 Apr 2014


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Man in Hong Kong court over &a...

Man in Hong Kong court over 'Toblerone-armed' hijacking

Newstalk
Newstalk

16.48 18 Apr 2014


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A passenger wearing a blanket as a cape and brandishing a 'Toblerone' bar demanded an airliner should divert to the Winter Olympics, a court has heard.

Antti Oskari-Manselius appeared in court in Hong Kong charged with disorderly behaviour and issuing a bomb hoax during the flight on February 14th.

The Finnish man (23) pleaded not guilty, saying he was only making "fun and jokes" to entertain passengers and did not mean the threats.

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The South China Morning Post reported that Cathay Pacific flight 270 was on its way from Amsterdam to Hong Kong at the time.

One of the flight attendants told the court that Mr. Manselius wrapped two economy class blankets around his head, leaving only his eyes visible.

'I am robbing the plane now'

He had another blanket on his back like a cape, the attendant added, as he walked towards the cockpit holding the large chocolate bar "like a sword".

As he approached them, he told flight attendants he was "robbing" the plane, before telling them he wanted to get off.

He then demanded the crew divert to the place the Russian resort of Sochi where the Olympics were taking place, so he could watch the Games.

Leung Hiu-Lun (37), a flight attendant, told the court "He said: 'I am robbing the plane now. I want to see the Olympics in Sochi and I need to get off the plane now'. He was furious. He made me feel like he was trying to endanger the aircraft".

The incident happened at about 1:15am - about six hours into the flight.

Mr. Leung said Mr. Manselius was waving the bar of chocolate around throughout the exchange and went on to demand access to the cockpit.

He said that although the Finn made a bomb threat, the crew did not feel it necessary to search the plane.

The passenger returned to his seat when ordered. About an hour later, at the captain's instruction, several passengers and crew members put his arms and legs in handcuffs, the court heard.

He was arrested when the plane landed in Hong Kong. The trial has previously heard that Mr. Manselius suffers from mental health problems and was transferred to a psychiatric facility after his arrest, the Morning Post said.

The incident occurred at a time of heightened tensions over fears that the Sochi games would be attacked. The trial continues.


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