Bolic Bet Malou: Video shows cops tasing and arresting flyer for being ‘disorderly’ on flight
PERTH, AUSTRALIA: A video has gone viral on the internet that saw a flyer being tased and arrested for being unruly on a Jetstar flight. The Melbourne man has been identified as Bolic Bet Malou and it has been said that the incident unfolded when he ditched his own seat and decided to sit elsewhere.
The 30-year-old went to sit with his family as the flight was taking off from Perth on Saturday night, March 18, per 9news. But the airplane’s staff asked him to go to his assigned place, which he refused. The cabin crew then reportedly informed Australian Federal Police (AFP) to handle the “disorderly and aggressive passenger”.
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A father has been tasered on a Jetstar flight from Perth to Melbourne after he refused to move to his allocated seat before take-off, claiming he wanted to stay seated next to his wife and child.
— 9News Perth (@9NewsPerth) March 21, 2023
Watch the exclusive vision TONIGHT on #9News at 6pm. pic.twitter.com/pJejNgVEt1
‘I need you to come with me right now’
When officers tried to get him off the flight, Malou got violent and attacked them. One of the cops reportedly told the man, “You've failed to comply with aircraft instructions. I need you to come with me right now. Either you come with us voluntarily or we're going to grab you.”
An eyewitness, Jaeris Vansson, reportedly said, “It just escalated so fast. It went from like just this argument with staff, to this guy screaming at the top of his lungs being Tasered. It was very violent and very sudden. Even I was shaking.” Later, the flight left Perth airport without Malou and his family. He was also pressed with charges, including assaulting and obstructing police.
‘The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority’
A statement has been issued by Jetstar after the episode. It read, “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. 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 statement added, “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.”
‘They behaved like that in front of a child?’
Meanwhile, the incident has received mixed reactions online as a user tweeted, “Rules apply to everyone equally. Could have moved back there after takeoff.” Another user wrote, “But why didn't they book the seats together. If you had not bothered what else do you expect its a budget airline. You get what your given.”
Rules apply to everyone equally. Could have moved back there after takeoff.
— Rose Bay (@rosebay166) March 21, 2023
But why didn't they book the seats together. If you had not bothered what else do you expect its a budget airline. You get what your given.
— PhilDaid (@PhilDaid) March 21, 2023
“They behaved like that in front of a child? Not to mention other children on the plane:-( If he really needed to be moved, the plane just doesn't go anywhere til he moves. What a country of bullies we're becoming, top down,” a third one shared and a fourth one added, “Why act like an idiot in front of his own child? Could of been a man and handled things much differently. Only one thing is going to happen if you act aggressively towards security.”
They behaved like that in front of a child?
— Jeez en Goat (@RISirius) March 21, 2023
Not to mention other children on the plane:-(
If he really needed to be moved, the plane just doesn't go anywhere til he moves.
What a country of bullies we're becoming, top down.
Why act like an idiot in front of his own child? Could of been a man and handled things much differently.
— john (@johnGL76) March 21, 2023
Only one thing is going to happen if you act aggressively towards security
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