A drunken Saudi air passenger allegedly attacked other passengers and assaulted a policeman trying to arrest him on board a flydubai plane waiting to take off at Dubai Airport, the Dubai Misdemeanours Court heard.

Only July 8 last year, RM, 27, got on board a flydubai plane at Dubai International Airport. After a few minutes, he attacked other passengers, so airport security was informed.

A policeman was rushed to the plane and he tried to take out the passenger out who resisted arrest. He attacked the policeman, tore his uniform and destroyed him laser gun besides cursing him.

RM was taken out of the plane and locked up in a room at the airport to help him control himself.  However; he continued to rage and smashed a vase over his head in an attempt to commit suicide. However, RM denied attempting to commit suicide, telling investigators that he may have fallen on the vase by mistake and broken it.

Prosecutors did not file a suicide attempt allegation against the accused, though forensic evidence confirmed that RM had severe injuries on his wrist.

RM told investigators that he cannot remember his conduct on the plane. “All I remember is that I had a can of alcohol before boarding the plane. I sat on my seat and a few minutes later, police came and took me out of the plane.”

However, his father told police that his son suffered from a psychological disorder. “My son was being treated for mental illness at a hospital back home. He rages in anger for no specific reason and imagines that people in front of him want to hurt him,” said the father.

RM was accused of damaging property and illegally consuming alcohol for which he was fined Dh4,000 by the Court.