A 57-year-old man appeared in court on Thursday to address allegations that his remarks were misinterpreted during an incident at an airport. The situation escalated when he reportedly lashed out at a security guard, using profanity after being questioned for attempting to bypass immigration without presenting a passport.
The man’s troubles deepened when he allegedly threatened, “I am going to blow this place up,” which raised immediate concerns. Outside the terminal, he is said to have left a backpack unattended on a trash bin, an action that triggered a full-scale evacuation of the terminal and the deployment of the bomb squad.
Australian Federal Police Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal explained at a press briefing on Thursday, “It was the manner of the way the bag was left by itself on top of, allegedly on top of a bin,” highlighting the suspicious nature of the situation.
“Just in a suspicious manner in our view,” Brindal added, emphasizing the authorities’ perspective on the potentially dangerous scenario that unfolded. The incident underscores the heightened security measures and the quick response that such situations necessitate.
“It was the manner of the way the bag was left by itself on top of, allegedly on top of a bin,” Australian Federal Police acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said on Thursday, in a press conference.
“Just in a suspicious manner in our view.”
It wasn’t just people in departures who were affected, as 450 passengers had to remain onboard two planes for three hours while hundreds more had to wait in the arrivals hall.
“We know we live in a world where these threats exist. The issue was taken very seriously,” Police Minister Reece Whitby said.
The Victorian man became angry and yelled in court on Thursday as he tried to apply for bail.
A magistrate heard that during his police interview he told officers he’d been informed to inform the public that the airport and car park would be blown up.
But Hedges told the court he believed there “had been a misrepresentation of his actual words”.
A prosecutor opposed his release saying more charges would be laid beyond the existing count of threatening to destroy, damage, or endanger the safety of a Commonwealth aerodrome.
He was remanded in custody for a mental health assessment to face court again next week.
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