A British tourist was removed from a flight on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali and held several hours for questioning for attempting to take a toy bomb on a flight.
Davide Fogli had bought the item in a toy shop and hoped to take it back home for a New Year’s Eve party.
He had declared the toy to security officials at Ngurah Rai International Airport and had asked if he could bring it on the plane.
He was refused and the toy was left at the security checkpoint, but later, as his Qatar flight to Doha was preparing for take-off, the plane was ordered to return to the terminal and Fogli and his female travelling companion were removed from the flight.
According to the the UK’s Telegraph newspaper, the airport’s manager had called the flight back after hearing about the incident.
Fogli and his companion were held for a day and were questioned by security staff and police, who even sent investigators to the shop where the toy was bought.
Airport officials said with the heightened security measures in place, following recent terror attacks, it was important to confirm the passenger’s intentions.
They said the toy, which was a timer attached to sticks that look like dynamite, was realistic.
Fogli was cleared and will not be facing any charges. He was allowed to travel 24 hours later.
