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JetstarDisturbing vision and dramatic images of a man being tasered and arrested on a Jetstar domestic flight from Perth have been screened widely after an altercation with police on the flight.

The dispute arose over a problem with a seat. The passenger who was tasered, Bolic Malou (shown in the 9News screen shot above), wanted to sit with his family and did so, but when a flight attendant told him to return to his assigned seat elsewhere before take-off, problems began. Australian Federal Police (AFP) were called in.

Malou, 30, who was travelling with his family back to his home in Melbourne, said later he was “humiliated” and felt “like an animal”.

Video footage of the incident screened on 9News speaks for itself. So does Malou, who is interviewed in the clip below:

 

Police said Malou rejected their attempts to remove him from the plane.

Others said the whole episode was an over-reaction and could have been solved amicably.

Passengers on an aircraft must obey instructions from a flight attendant. At 7:11 in the YouTube clip above, the attendant can be seen speaking with Malou. The issue now looks like it will be resolved in court.

The plane eventually took off without Malou and his family. Malou has been charged with assaulting and obstructing police, 9News reported. His lawyers will be fighting to change his bail conditions to let him reunite with his family in Melbourne before a trial in June.

Jetstar confirmed to 9 News its staff had called the AFP for help.

“The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority and while the vast majority of our customers behave well, we have zero tolerance for those who don’t,” the airline said in a statement.

“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.”

 

 

 

Written by: Peter Needham

 

 

 

 

 

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