Airport authorities in the United Arab Emirates have confirmed the arrest of a Frenchman during his stopover in Abu Dhabi after he joked about a bomb. Jean-Louis Lioret, 66, was arrested on Tuesday "in line with the current international regulations which stipulate that passengers suspected of, or even joking about, terrorism", could be arrested, an airport official told AFP. However, the official version of what happened was at variance with what Mr Lioret's brother described as happening.
The official said Mr Lioret had claimed twice that there was a bomb in his bag, adding that another passenger was questioned as a witness, while two hostesses testified against him. His brother, Michel, said the pensioner was flying to Bangkok from Paris on the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, and was arrested after cabin crew overheard him using the word bomb in an exchange with a co-passenger. His brother said the neighbour had asked him to keep a packet on the other seat next to him as it was empty, prompting Mr Lioret to joke: "I hope it's not a bomb."
His jocular comment was overheard and set off alarm bells. He was taken off the plane, grilled by police then jailed. He was also informed that the packet contained cigarettes and not a bomb. The French foreign ministry said it was informed of the arrest on Friday and was following the case closely. *AFP
