False terrorist who 'mined' Astana-Istanbul flight sentenced for two years

"In the course of the investigation by the special prosecutor of the Main transport prosecutor's office and the trial it has been well defined that M. Baratov, being intoxicated while in the residential complex" Highvill "(Baitursynov Str., b. 5), and acting intentionally out of hooliganism, from his mobile phone made a call to the inquiry office of the International Airport of Astana. He has repeatedly falsely informed of the impending terrorist act, namely that on board the aircraft, taking off to Istanbul,there was a citizen S. Bakhramov, who was a "terrorist" and was carrying on board the aircraft a bomb, " informs the press service.

When notified the airport workers evacuated the passengers of an aircraft. Search activities undertaken by metropolitan emergency and search services for identifying explosives and other explosive devices on board the aircraft, had no affect.

"Thus, M. Baratov disrupted the normal activities of the transport system, a variety of special and emergency services, the rights of passengers, and caused substantial material damage", the report reads.

During the trial M. Baratov denied that his phone messages included words that could spread panic among the people, but that fact was refuted by the testimony of eyewitnesses.

"The court also granted a civil lawsuit of the Transport Prosecutor General for damages of state bodies and organizations in excess of KZT 630 thousand (tenge), and the suit of Air Astana in the amount of more than KZT 1 million, with the recovery of this amount from the convicted", concluded the Prosecutor's Office.