A Kuwaiti-born man tried to get on a flight from Brisbane to Perth using a false boarding pass then threatened to bomb the families of police, a court has heard.
Atalah Gazy, who is a permanent Australian resident, could not explain why he allegedly tried to board the Virgin flight on Wednesday night using a ticket in someone else’s name.
The 35-year-old appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday when he was granted bail against the wishes of Australian Federal Police.
Gazy’s lawyer Julie Pietzner-Hagan told the court her client remembered little of the incident because he was drunk at the time, according to The Courier-Mail.
Atalah Gazy was arrested at Brisbane Airport on Wedneday trying to board a flight to Perth
Atalah Gazy’s lawyer said he was drunk when he tried to board a Perth-bound flight in Brisbane
Police allege Atalah Gazy tried to board a Virgin plane in Brisbane with a false boarding pass
He was arrested at a departure gate at Brisbane Airport about 8.55pm on Wednesday while trying to board flight VA476 to Perth after an altercation with staff.
Court documents state Gazy became agitated and spat in the face of an AFP officer.
It is also alleged that while in a police cell Gazy threatened: ‘I’ll bomb your whole families … I’ll run them over.’
Ms Pietzner-Hagan said her client claimed he had been using a boarding pass in his brother’s name, but the court heard there was no reference to his brother in police paperwork.
When asked by Magistrate Jacqui Payne why Gazy was boarding the plane, Ms Pietzner-Hagan said her client remembered ‘very little of the time’ as he was ‘very drunk’.
‘He doesn’t remember why he was getting on a plane to Western Australia?’ Ms Payne asked.
‘That’s a concerning submission.’
The court heard Gazy had a criminal history of using aliases in Western Australia but Ms Payne said that was not enough to keep him locked up.
Atalah Gazy was attempting to board a Virgin flight at Brisbane when arrested (stock image)
Atalah Gazy, 35, allegedly spat at an AFP officer and threatened to blow up police families
Ms Payne granted bail on condition Gazy report twice a week to police and not go within 100 metres of an airport. He is due back in court on September 22.
The AFP charged Gazy with using false documents at an airport, obstructing a Commonwealth officer and committing a public nuisance.
Queensland police later charged him with seriously assaulting a police officer.
An AFP spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the incident was not considered a national security matter.
‘The AFP reminds the travelling public to follow the directions of authorities in the aviation environment,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Violent and disorderly behaviour will not be tolerated in airports and on-board aircraft.
‘It is unacceptable to assault airline staff or police as they carry out their duties to keep the travelling public safe. Anyone who commits such actions can expect to be charged.
‘The AFP reminds the travelling public it is a serious offence to use travel documents in a name that is not your own.’
Kuwaiti-born Atalah Gazy, 35, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday
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