DPP sanctions charge after bomb threat

The Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has sanctioned a charge against a United Nations Field Security Specialist for providing false information in May this year to an Air Marshall at Nadi International Airport in breach of the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994.

It is alleged that whilst in the secure area of Nadi International Airport Isireli Dakunimata uttered the words in the iTaukei language translated as meaning, “I have a bomb inside this bag of mine”.

Pryde says this is the second time this year they have charged individuals with intentionally making false statements or giving false answers to airline security personnel in the secure area of Nadi International Airport.

They also have two other cases that are being investigated by Police with charges likely to follow.

Pryde says it is very important that the public understands that whilst people may think they are just making jokes, anything that implies there is a bomb or some security threat to an airline will be taken very seriously.

Any person convicted under the section of the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994 is liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for seven years, or both.