site.btaBulgarian Court Leaves Rowdy Indian Air France Passenger in Custody

Sofia, March 8 (BTA) - The Sofia City Court Monday decided to
leave in custody the Indian national who was detained after
rampaging on board an Air France flight en route from Ghana via
Paris to New Delhi. The plane had to make an emergency landing
at Sofia Airport on Friday afternoon because of the rowdy
passenger.

It transpired during Monday's court sitting that the man,
charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft while
airborne, had hit a steward, had banged on the cockpit door, and
 had threatened a crew member to break his arm. According to the
 testimonies of passengers and crew members, the Indian national
 had caused panic on board the plane, thus endangering the
safety of the flight.

According to the court, the defendant needs to remain in custody
 as he poses a threat to society and himself. Noting that his
mental state remains unclear, despite the documents presented by
 the court-appointed defence lawyer showing the man has a
psychological disorder due to the loss of relatives in 2019, the
 Sofia City Court ordered a psychiatric evaluation.
   
NV/DS