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Spain: 'Taliban' hoax message could cost Indian origin student INR 20 Lakh

Aditya Verma, a British student of Indian origin, faces trial in Spain over an in-flight hoax message claiming he was a member of Taliban and that he would blow up the plane. Read More

Thursday January 25, 2024 9:52 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

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Madrid: Aditya Verma, a British student of Indian origin, faces trial in Spain over an in-flight hoax message claiming he was a member of Taliban and that he would blow up the plane.

Aditya is not being charged with terrorism or facing a jail term. But, he could be fined 22,500 Euros – around 20.35 lakh Indian Rupees, if found guilty.

The case pertains to be of July 2022 when Aditya was on his way to Spain's Menorca Island with his friends on an easyJet flight. Aditya sent the message before departure that read:

"On my way to blow up the plane (I'm a member of the Taliban)," according to BBC.

The message alerted the British security agencies on Gatwick's Wi-Fi network, who then informed the Spanish authorities while the easyJet plane was still in air.

Two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were scrambled after officials received the menacing letter, the court was informed. The BBC reports that one jet pursued the aircraft until it landed in Menorca, where it was thoroughly examined.

During the hearing in the Madrid court Monday, Aditya said the message was "a joke posted in a private group".

He also said he had no intention to hurt or upset anyone in public.

"It was just sent to my friends I was travelling with on the day," he was quoted as saying by the British broadcaster.

Aditya, who was 18 when arrested, was kept in a police cell for two days before being released on bail, the court was told.

Taliban are the current rulers of Afghanistan. They came to power in the country after a long and bloody battle with the United States and its allies.

 

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