A Tunisian man who threatened to bring down a passenger jet whilst being deported to his home country has been remanded in custody.

28 year-old Mahdi Ouerfelli had been a detainee at the Safi Detention Centre and was due to be deported back to Tunisia against his wishes early yesterday morning. Whilst at the airport, the man had decided to try and escape from his police escort, violently resisting, threatening and slightly injuring one of the officers by biting him.

Once on the aircraft, the man had created a great disturbance and had threatened that if the aircraft was going to depart, he would make it crash.

Before magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo this afternoon, Ouerfelli’s lawyer, Ishmael Psaila, entered a plea of not guilty.

Bail was not requested. Ouerfelli was remanded in custody.

Inspector Lara Butters prosecuted.