In a recent trial in Spain, a British man named Aditya Verma faced charges of public disorder after making a joking comment about blowing up a plane through the messaging app Snapchat. The incident occurred in July 2022, as Verma was on his way to Menorca with his friends. The message, sent prior to his departure from Gatwick airport, stated, “On my way to blow up the plane (I’m a member of the Taliban).” While testifying in a Madrid court, Verma claimed that his intention was never to cause distress or harm. If convicted, the university student may be required to pay a substantial amount in expenses, given that two Spanish Air Force jets were sent to intercept the plane on which Verma was traveling.
The message sent by Verma was detected by UK security services, who promptly alerted Spanish authorities while the easyJet plane was still airborne. The authorities believed the message had set off alarm bells after being intercepted through Gatwick’s Wi-Fi network. As a result, two Spanish F-18 fighter jets accompanied the airplane until it landed in Menorca, where a thorough search was conducted. Verma, then 18 years old, was subsequently arrested and spent two days in police custody before being released on bail. Upon returning to the UK, he was questioned by the British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6 before returning home to Orpington, Kent. Currently studying economics at Bath University, Verma maintain that the message was merely intended as a joke within a private group setting, exclusively shared with his friends.
Pressed about the purpose behind the message, Verma explained that it stemmed from his school experiences and was meant to elicit laughter due to his physical appearance. He also mentioned that, upon seeing the fighter jets flanking the plane, he believed it was a military exercise related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The pilot of the aircraft reportedly made an announcement to passengers, explaining that the jets had been deployed due to a distress signal mistakenly sent. During the trial, police experts revealed that they had thoroughly examined Verma’s phone but could not find any evidence linking him to jihadist radicalism, despite discovering internet searches about clashes between Pakistan and India and the potential for Islamic State attacks in the region.
Notably, Verma is not facing terrorism charges or the prospect of prison time. Nevertheless, if found guilty, he could face a fine of up to €22,500 (£19,300), and the Spanish Ministry of Defense is demanding reimbursement of €95,000 in expenses.
