An Egyptian tourist has been remanded in custody for five days after allegedly joking that a bag contained a bomb during security screening at Velana International Airport (VIA).
Police identified the man as 38-year-old Peter Saman Marzouk Saman.
The incident occurred while the man and his aunt were going through the departure security screening process at the airport.
According to information presented in court, security personnel had selected the aunt’s luggage for an additional inspection when Saman allegedly remarked that there was a bomb inside the bag.
Airport authorities alerted police following the comment, prompting further security checks on the luggage.
No explosives, explosive components or other bomb-related items were discovered during the inspection.
Saman was subsequently taken into police custody over the remark.
During his arrest, the Egyptian national apologised and told authorities that he had not intended to make a genuine threat, explaining that the comment had been made as a joke.
He repeated the explanation when he was brought before the Criminal Court for a remand hearing and again apologised for the incident.
The court nevertheless ordered him to remain in custody for five days while police continue their investigation.
According to the arrest warrant, Saman is being investigated on suspicion of intimidation and providing false information.
The incident highlights the strict security procedures surrounding statements about explosives at airports, where even remarks intended as jokes can trigger an immediate security response.
Bomb-related comments can require security personnel to treat a potential threat as genuine until the circumstances are established, potentially resulting in additional screening, police involvement and disruption to airport operations.
This is not the first time a traveller has been detained at VIA over remarks concerning explosives.
In December 2020, Maldives Police Service arrested an Indian national at the airport after he spoke about bombs while preparing to depart the country. He was also remanded for five days following his arrest.
Velana International Airport is the Maldives’ primary international gateway and operates under extensive aviation security procedures due to the volume of international passengers passing through the airport.
The latest case remains under investigation, and no explosives were found in the luggage that prompted the security response.
