Air crew on an Emirates Airline flight to Australia restrained a passenger by tying him up when he allegedly became violent after refusing several requests to extinguish a cigarette.
According to the Courier Mail, German national Mathias Jorg appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with one count of smoking on an aircraft and two counts of assaulting airline staff.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning on flight EK432, which was flying to the Australian city from Singapore.
A photograph of 54-year old Jorg emerged online showing what appeared to be him bound to a chair by his arms and legs, with an Emirates crew member standing over him. Staff at the Dubai-based airline claimed that he became violent after refusing to put out a cigarette.
Magistrate Stephen Gutridge granted bail for Jorg on the condition he surrender his passport to Australian authorities and make no application for a replacement. He is not permitted to leave the country or go within 100m vicinity of any place of international departure.
He is due to appear in court again on 10 January.
An Emirates Airline spokesperson said: “Emirates can confirm that a passenger on flight EK432 from Singapore to Brisbane this morning was restrained by crew due to an incident mid-flight.
“The Australian Federal Police were called to meet the passenger upon the flight’s arrival into Brisbane Airport and he was subsequently arrested and charged. The safety of our passengers and crew is of critical importance and will not be compromised. As the matter is now before the courts, Emirates cannot comment further on the incident.”
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