MIA to probe case of passenger carrying two knives in pocket

Malta International Airport plans to hold an internal inquiry once it receives information from Italy on how a Sri Lankan national allegedly carried two knives on board an Air Malta flight to Rome. A spokesman said MIA “is awaiting the official report...

Malta International Airport plans to hold an internal inquiry once it receives information from Italy on how a Sri Lankan national allegedly carried two knives on board an Air Malta flight to Rome.

A spokesman said MIA “is awaiting the official report from the Italian authorities to be able to carry out an internal investigation regarding the incident in question”.

The Italian police reported the 37-year-old, travelling along with two co-nationals en route to Doha in Qatar, was stopped at Fiumicino airport after arriving on board an Air Malta flight on Christmas Eve.

Two knives having 7.5cm and nine-centimetre blades respectively were allegedly found in his trouser pockets together with a screwdriver. The man, the Italian police said, was not aggressive.

He is still in custody but sources said terrorism was being ruled out.

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