Passenger altercation turns violent as AFP tasers man on Jetstar flight
The man who was tasered onboard a Jetstar flight from Perth to Melbourne says he feels “humiliated” and that he was treated “like an animal”.
Bolic Bet Malou was removed by Australian Federal Police (AFP) after refusing to move from his seat on Saturday night.
He says he simply wanted to stay sitting with his wife and one-year-old child.
“It’s voltage on a human that done nothing wrong,” Malou told 9 News.
Jaeris Vansson, a passenger onboard the flight who not only witnessed the incident, but also filmed it on her phone claims the response from the AFP was completely uncalled for.
“At no stage was (Malou) being verbally or physically aggressive towards anyone,” she told 9 News.
“It looked like he’d come to an amicable agreement with another passenger and everybody had swapped just fine.”.
Video of the incident broadcast by 9 News shows an AFP officer yelling at Malou, telling him he had “failed to comply with aircraft instructions”.
“Either you come with us voluntarily or we’re going to grab you.”
Police allege Malou refused to leave the aircraft with police, and that’s when the incident turned “violent” fast, according to Vansson.
“It went from just this argument with staff, to this guy screaming at the top of his lungs being tasered.
Malou and his family eventually left the aircraft and he was charged with assaulting and obstructing police. Charges his lawyers will be challenging. They are also fighting to change his bail conditions so he can reunite with his family in Melbourne until the trial takes place in June.
A father is speaking out this morning after he was tasered by Federal Police onboard a jetstar flight from Perth to Melbourne. #9News pic.twitter.com/JPI2xFqmuo
— 9News Perth (@9NewsPerth) March 21, 2023
Jetstar confirmed an incident took place onboard one of their flights, saying customer safetyl is always its number one priority.
“TWhile the vast majority of our customers behave well, we have zero tolerance for those who don’t.”
“Our crew called the AFP for assistance when a customer became abusive towards our crew, repeatedly refusing to follow their instructions to move to his assigned seat.
“The AFP removed two customers from the aircraft, and one was later arrested.
“After checking on the welfare of the remaining customers and crew on board, the flight departed Perth approximately one hour after its scheduled departure time.
“We thank passengers for their patience as our crew worked with the AFP to manage the situation,” the airline said in a statement.
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