A trial looms for Aditya Verma, a British-Indian student, who faces allegations of public disorder stemming from a Snapchat message jesting about detonating a plane while en route to Spain's Menorca island with friends in July 2022. Verma, if found culpable, could face a hefty fine of 22,500 euros (equivalent to Rs 20.35 lakh), although no charges of terrorism or incarceration are pending against him.
Verma, a student of economics at Bath University, found himself in legal trouble after he dispatched a Snapchat missive just before boarding an easyJet flight, quipping, "On my way to blow up the plane (I'm a member of the Taliban)," as reported by BBC. This message, intercepted by UK security agencies via Gatwick's Wi-Fi network, was promptly relayed to Spanish authorities while the aircraft was in flight.
At a trial held in a Madrid court, Verma maintained that his message was not intended to incite public fear or disturbance. Spanish F-18 fighter jets were mobilized in response to the perceived threat, with one aircraft shadowing the plane until its landing in Menorca, where extensive security measures were enacted.
Despite being released on bail after spending two days in police custody, Verma was subjected to further scrutiny by UK intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6 before being allowed to return home to Orpington, Kent.
During the trial proceedings, Verma reiterated that his message was merely a jest shared within a private group of friends. He emphasized that it was a recurring joke stemming from his physical appearance, aimed at eliciting amusement rather than alarm.
Addressing the Spanish fighter jets' presence, Verma misconstrued the scenario as a military drill associated with the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Authorities disclosed that Verma's phone contained searches related to India-Pakistan tensions and potential Islamic State threats in the region, but no evidence linking him to jihadist extremism was uncovered.
The Spanish Defence Ministry is seeking reimbursement of expenses amounting to 95,000 euros (approximately Rs 85.94 lakh) in connection with Verma's case.
A verdict in Verma's trial is anticipated within the coming days, according to statements from the court reported by the BBC.
