MAN CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO OPEN DOORS OF SYDNEY-BOUND FLIGHT

SYDNEY, April 7 (Bernama-dpa) -- A 46-year-old Jordanian national was charged on Sunday for allegedly attempting to open the doors of a Sydney-bound aircraft as well as assaulting a member of the crew, German Press Agency (dpa) reported citing Australian police.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said that they responded on Saturday evening after the man allegedly "attempted to open the rear emergency exit door of the aircraft during the flight," which hailed from Kuala Lumpur.

After he was escorted back to a seat by members of the crew, the man allegedly attempted to open another emergency exit door.

"The man was then restrained by crew and passengers, during which he allegedly assaulted an airline staff member," the AFP said.

He has been charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assault, each carrying a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment.

"The actions of this man could have had tragic consequences, and passengers and airplane staff shouldn’t have to put up with unruly, violent, or dangerous behaviour on flights" said AFP detective acting superintendent Davina Copelin.

"The AFP will not hesitate to take action against people who engage in criminal behaviour on airplanes, especially where this behaviour has the potential to endanger the safety of passengers, crew or the flight itself."

Australian broadcaster ABC cited the man's lawyer as saying in court on Sunday that the 46-year-old had taken two medications, pseudoephedrine and a sleeping pill, as well as drinking alcohol before the flight, and that he had no recollection of the episode.

--BERNAMA-dpa