Saudi 'pilot' returns from detention in Philippines

Monday 18 January 2010 (02 Safar 1431) Ghazanfar Ali Khan | Arab News

RIYADH: A 19-year-old Saudi who posed as a pilot and breached airport security at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before being detained by the security officials arrived in the Kingdom Sunday evening. Hany Abdulelah Bukhari, who was allegedly beaten by security officials in Manila, was allowed to board Saudia flight SV869 to Jeddah. Hany’s brother Mohammed Abdulelah Bukhari accused Filipino officials of blowing the incident out of proportion, saying that Hany was beaten by airport security guards and subjected to frisking. “In fact, Hany was there in the Philippines with dreams of becoming a pilot and to learn English in a country he liked most, but his dream was shattered after he was deported by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration,” Mohammed added. Bukhari is now blacklisted from returning to the Philippines. Mohammed contradicted reports about the breach of security and of his brother’s suspicious behavior, which led to the arrest. He said that Hany went to the Philippines to learn English and then join one of the flying schools there. After selecting the schools in the Philippines, Hany called his father asking him to visit Philippines to complete the enrollment procedure at the school. “Hany put on the pilot’s uniform before going to the airport to meet his father to show him or brag to his dad that he was interested in a career in the aviation industry,” said the brother. Hany reportedly alleges that after mistakenly entering the departure area of the airport he tried to cross over to arrivals by unknowingly crossing over to the arrival terminal through a restricted area. “This led to his arrest, he was beaten severely by Filipino security officials, strip searched and photographed before being taken to the hospital under tight security,” said Mohammed. Philippine Ambassador in Saudi Arabia Antonio Villamor said he has no details pertaining to the incident but has asked Manila for a debriefing. Hany apologized to his parents who expressed deep regret about his arrest. He also apologized to the public for inconvenience. Posing as a pilot is considered a serious criminal offense, but Hany claims he is innocent of anything more than an honest mistake. http://arabnews.com/