'Plane Threat' Pair Remanded In Custody
By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter | Sky News
Two men have appeared in court accused of threatening to blow up an aeroplane and kill its passengers and crew.
The pair were arrested after the Boeing 777 landed at Stansted Airport, Essex, on Friday afternoon, escorted by two RAF Typhoon fighter jets.
The captain of the seven-hour flight from Lahore diverted to Stansted following an alleged disturbance in the cabin, just before it was due to land at Manchester Airport.
Both men appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court dressed in red sweatshirts and green skull caps with members of their family and friends in the public gallery, and police posted outside the court.
They are charged with intentionally communicating threats against the crew and passengers of the plane that they would be "killed and the aircraft blown up before landing which was false, misleading or deceptive".
Prosecutor Chris McCann told the court the case was "serious" and involved the deployment of RAF jets to ensure the plane, which was carrying 308 passengers, landed safely.
Both men, who are friends and are from Nelson in Lancashire, spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.
The court also heard that Subhani was married and also worked in a supermarket, while his friend Safdar was a married father-of-three.
The pair had been flying back from Pakistan - Safdar after attending his mother's funeral, and Subhani after visiting his grandfather who had broken his hip.
Richard Cooper, representing Subhani, and Raza Sakhi, speaking for Safdar, said their clients would deny the charge against them.
Magistrate Sarah-Jane Davies refused the defendants bail and ordered them to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on August 5 for a plea and case management hearing.
Endangering an aircraft carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
As he left the courtroom, Subhani gave a thumbs up to his wife who was in court, while Safdar waved to his relatives.