May 14, 2008

Further remand for hijack accused

Aircraft hijack accused Asha Ali Abdille was remanded in custody to a pre-depositions conference at a brief appearance in the Christchurch District Court today.

The 33-year-old Somali woman, a vineyard worker from Blenheim, said she was unable to stand in the dock and a chair was placed there for her.

Judge Ian Thomas remanded her to June 5, for the session that may set a date for the preliminary hearing on charges of stabbing three people including the pilot and co-pilot on an Eagle Air flight from Blenheim to Christchurch on February 8, unlawfully taking an offensive weapon ? a knife ? onto the aircraft, and attempting to seize control of the aircraft by force.

She has been in custody since her arrest in Christchurch, while a series of psychiatric reports have been prepared.