NZ: Airport worker allegedly planted hoax bomb to expose security flaws

An Aviation Security Services staff member planted a hoax bomb containing wires, a cylinder, batteries, a cellphone and a cryptic note to expose concerns over security at Dunedin Airport, a court has heard. Preetam Prakash Maid was arrested and charged with taking an imitation explosive device into a security-enhanced area several months later. Maid, 32, is on trial before Judge Michael Crosbie in the Dunedin District Court. Crown lawyer Robin Bates told the jury the device was planted on the northern side of the airport on March 17, 2019, just two days after the Christchurch terror attack. Part of Maid's role was to carry out perimeter checks. He told a supervisor he wanted to check an object spotted near a hut. He took a photo of what appeared to be a black bag near the hut's entrance. A further inspection treated the bag as “suspicious”, Bates said. The airport closed briefly, with an international flight returning to Australia and several domestic flights diverted.<br/>Story has full details.<br/>