Man, 22, fined after Instagram joke about blowing up plane delays flight

Azim said his post was a joke.

His actions delayed the flight and it was released for departure only at about 9.25pm that day.

Azim was arrested past midnight on Feb 15 and later released on bail.

On Monday, the prosecutor sought a fine of S$4,000 for Azim, considering his relative young age, lack of convictions and early plea of guilt.

However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh said there were substantial consequences, citing the flight delay of about two-and-a-half hours from the time of the post as well as inconvenience to the crew and passengers.

The airline also incurred the late departure charge and resources were expended to verify the bomb threat.

Azim’s defence lawyer, Mr Mohammad Shafiq from M Shafiq Chambers, sought a fine of S$1,000 instead.

He said his client, who is a national serviceman with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, was travelling overseas with his friends for a holiday.

He posted the statement as a misguided “joke” directed at his circle of 16 close friends on Instagram, said Mr Mohammad Shafiq.

“He did not appreciate that such a post, particularly when he was due to fly shortly, would cause public alarm even if disseminated to a ‘closed’ group, nor did he appreciate the serious consequences such a post could trigger,” said the lawyer.

He added that Azim immediately admitted to the post when questioned and explained that it stemmed from “banter about his religious identity”.

Mr Mohammad Shafiq said Azim has expressed deep remorse for his lapse in judgment and recognises the seriousness of his actions.

In response, the prosecutor said a fine of S$1,000 would be inadequate to cover the outcome of Azim’s actions. The fine barely commensurates with the financial penalty incurred by the airline, said Mr Koh.

He said that while the airline has declined compensation, the fine imposed could adequately reflect the cost incurred.

Azim paid the fine in full.

For making a threatening communication likely to cause alarm, he could have been fined up to S$5,000.