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Without a boarding pass, all passengers can actually stop before going through security, let alone boarding a plane. But that is exactly what a man with Russian and Israeli citizenship has been able to do. In fact: Sergej O.* (46) flew from Copenhagen to Los Angeles – without a ticket, without a passport.
His motive? Unclear.
The strange case of the stowaway has now become known through court documents, the New York Times reports. So Sergej O. was on board SAS Flight 931 from Copenhagen to Los Angeles on November 4.
He stayed seated in different places
The crew noticed the man because of his behavior. He sat in empty seat 36D, demanded double meals during meal service and continued to wander around the plane striking up conversations with other passengers. Apparently he was also in other places. That could explain why the extra man wasn’t noticed when the passengers were counted.
When he arrived in the United States, he claimed at border control that he had lost his passport on the plane. But nothing was found there and so he was arrested and interrogated upon entry. He could only show identification cards from Russia and Israel. However, he had no passport, no ticket and no electronic travel authorization that would actually be needed to enter the US.
He faces five years in prison
But the mystery of how the man managed to sneak onto the plane was not solved even during interrogation. He said he had not slept in three days and could not remember how he got on the plane. He ‘maybe’ had a ticket, but wasn’t sure. How he got past security checkpoints in Copenhagen is also unclear.
According to relatives, he exhibited strange behavior, Russian media report. He often ended conversations abruptly for no reason or stopped responding to messages. He has stopped all communication with the family since September.
Sergei O. is accused of being a stowaway on an airplane, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He is being held without bail because he is a flight risk. He will be tried on December 26. (neo)
*Name known
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
