The Australian Police arrested a man of Pakistani origin on August 15, 2023, after he allegedly claimed of carrying explosives on board a Malaysian Airlines flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, which was forced to return to Sydney.
The Incident
According to a Pakistani Media report, Muhammad Arif Ali, aged 45, was arrested after the flight returned back and has been charged with one count of making a false statement about a threat to damage an aircraft. The man has also been charged with one count of not complying with the cabin crew safety instructions, the news agency AFP reported quoting the Australian Federal Police.
Three hours after the Malaysian Airlines flight MH-122 left Sydney on August 14, 2023, it returned after the passenger allegedly became disruptive. These kinds of offences in Australia carry a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a fine of over A$15,000 (over eight lakhs in Indian currency).
The videos of the man went viral, where he can be seen praying on the prayer mat inside the aeroplane’s aisle and repeatedly asking people, “Are you a slave of Allah?”
Impact
The Sydney Airport said in a statement that thirty-two domestic flights were cancelled and other domestic flights were delayed due to this incident. However, no international flights were cancelled. While the Australian authorities assured the public that there was no imminent threat to the community, details surrounding the incident remain limited.
The man’s charges were expected to be formally presented on August 14, 2023, shedding more light on the suspected offence. Investigations are underway as authorities are working to understand the circumstances that led to the inflight disturbances.
About Muhammad Arif Ali
The man identified in the Pakistani media report is Muhammad Arif Ali. He is a former actor and model. The report said that he graduated from the National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore in 2022 and worked as an architect in various firms in Karachi, the financial hub and largest city in Pakistan and Lahore, from 2006 to 2016.
Ali’s LinkedIn Profile lists his professional background, and his famous Facebook Profile says he lives in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory. His Instagram profile, created in 2014, features a throwback video with his co-actors from “Kollege Jeans” which was directed by Jawad Bashir
His colleagues and lawyers hope for a fair handling of his bomb threat case, suggesting that he could be a victim or dealing with mental health issues and requesting a psychological assessment. According to a report by the Associated Press, his lawyer Mostafa Daoudie said he had serious mental issues and was not in the right state of mind.
He also runs and maintains a YouTube Channel named “Food for Thought,” featuring short videos primarily centred around his religious perspectives. His latest video was posted on August 12, 2023.
According to a thorough background check from The Current, Ali is best known for his 2002 music video for renowned Pakistani singer Abrar-ul-Haque’s song “Preeto”
Several acquaintances from the entertainment industry expressed concern over the loss of contact with Ali. One source will be revealed that they heard Ali had developed extremist views. There have been calls for a psychological assessment, and fair handling of the case were echoed by those familiar with Ali’s background.
As the case continues to unfold, the concerns over the convergence of mental health struggles and extremism underscore the complexity of the situation. Ali’s background as a former model and actor turned architect, along with his recent focus on religious content, has ignited discussions about the potential triggers for his behaviours.
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