In a Madrid court appearance on January 22, Aditya Verma, an 18-year-old British citizen, faced charges related to a public disorder incident after joking about blowing up a flight. The incident unfolded in July 2022 when Verma and his friends boarded an easyJet flight from London Gatwick Airport to Menorca, Spain.
The BBC reported that Verma’s ill-fated attempt at humor took place on Snapchat before departure, where he messaged a friend, stating, “On my way to blow up the plane (I’m a member of the Taliban).” UK security services intercepted the message, promptly alerting Spanish authorities. As a result, two F-18 fighter jets were dispatched to escort the passenger plane until it safely landed in Menorca.
While appearing in court, Verma expressed that his intention was never to cause public distress or harm. He now faces the risk of a hefty fine, with potential penalties exceeding $120,000 if found guilty of the public disorder charge. Notably, the Spanish defense ministry is seeking approximately $103,000 to cover the costs incurred for scrambling the fighter planes.
During his court appearance, Verma claimed he assumed the fighter jets were part of a military exercise related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. His defense lawyer argued that it was a “bad joke” made in private with friends, emphasizing Verma’s age and the context surrounding the ill-fated jest.
“This boy was 18 years old and was beginning a holiday which was a reward for his school excellence. When he and his friends landed in Menorca, they realized they were in a nightmare,” stated Verma’s lawyer, seeking understanding for the young man’s misguided attempt at humor.
