Ex-French policeman freed in Air France fake bomb search

French police arrested a 58-year-old man upon the plane’s return to Paris.

The plane landed in Mombasa where passengers were evacuated using emergency slides before navy and police bomb experts were called in to examine the suspicious item. A Kenyan police official said six passengers were questioned, including the person who informed the crew about the device.

His wife is being questioned as a witness, although neither of their names have yet been given.

The arrest took place on Monday, the prosecutor’s office in the Paris suburb of Bobigny said, without identifying the suspect.

The aircraft was evacuated at Mombasa airport and 459 passengers and 14 crew members were evacuated.

Air France also filed a suit against the man for “obstructing air traffic and endangering the lives of others”, and reaffirmed that its absolute priority is to ensure the security of its passengers and staff. The lawsuit does not name a perpetrator but leaves it to investigators to determine who might be sent to trial.

France is on high alert after militant attacks in Paris in November left 130 people dead, and is one of many countries taking extra security precautions. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks and for downing a plane carrying Russians out of Egypt in October.

According to the local media, the fake bomb was made out of cardboard and paper and contained a timer.

Overwhelmed with relief, passengers arrived safely in Paris on Monday, some crying as they embraced loved ones.

“We thought we were going to die”.

One of those in police custody was an ex-police officer on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion, Europe 1 radio said.