Abu Dhabi, January 18: Jokes on security threats are no laughing matter, an Abu Dhabi police official said, shortly after a bomb joke aboard an aircraft landed a French-man in prison.
The 66-year-old pensioner, Jean-Louis Lioret, was flying from Paris to Bangkok on Etihad Airways when he used the word ‘bomb’ during a stopover in Abu Dhabi, triggering a security alarm that eventually led to his arrest.
Lioret was helping a co-passenger keep a packet on an empty seat beside him, when he said “I hope it’s not a bomb”, his brother Michel Lioret was quoted as saying by the French media.
Members of the cabin crew who overheard the word, sounded the alarm. Security officials immediately escorted Lioret off the plane and he was taken into custody for investigation.
Apparently, all that was in the package were cigarettes.
The incident took place last Tuesday just before the aircraft was due to take off.
Avoid jokes
“No one should joke about bombs on an aircraft,” an Abu Dhabi police official said, urging air passengers to avoid similar situations.
The arrest comes as part of routine security protocol. Airports worldwide tightened security following the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt on a US airliner.
The French foreign ministry said it was informed of the arrest on Friday and was following the case closely.
——-Agencies