A Melbourne singer who was Tasered 3 times by Australian Federal Police on a Jetstar flight has revealed the explanation behind the disturbing incident — he refused to sit down in his designated seat after a fight together with his girlfriend.
Bolic Malou, a “Sudan-born, Melbourne-based” singer often called Rockstar Bo La, was boarding a flight home from WA in March when he got into an argument together with his partner within the airport terminal and pushed ahead of her within the queue.
The girl asked airline staff if she and their child could change seats to not be sitting with the musician and her request was granted.
Three AFP officers were called in to assist move him but attempts to return Malou to his assigned seat quickly descended right into a turbulent arrest, captured on video by a fellow passenger.
The distressing footage showed Malou and officers in a physical altercation within the plane aisle, before Malou — who authorities imagine was drunk on the time — tried to place considered one of the officers in a headlock and grab his taser.
He was eventually Tasered 3 times by police and was filmed collapsing right into a nearby seat, shrieking and shaking, before he was dragged from the aircraft.
Malou was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing a Commonwealth public official.
AFP described the event as “probably the most serious incidents to occur on an aircraft in WA for a while”.
Malou previously told Channel 9 he was “humiliated” by the ordeal and said he intended to fight the costs.
“I used to be Tasered and carried out of the place,” he said.
“I felt like an animal. It doesn’t feel great in front of your one-year-old son.”
He appeared to alter tack on Thursday and pleaded guilty to the costs but, speaking with reporters outside court, maintained he had “done nothing flawed”.
During his sentencing, Magistrate Elizabeth Woods told Malou, once AFP officers had the perception he wasn’t going to go away, “it was never going to finish well”.
“Our officers and airline staff are there to make sure everyone has a secure journey. It’s vital for the general public to treat everyone on the airport with respect,” AFP superintendent Peter Hatch told the court.
“The AFP will proceed to have zero tolerance for anyone selecting to behave poorly on aircraft, or in and around Australia’s airports.
“This type of behaviour is unacceptable from any passenger. If the person had simply complied with the directions of airline staff and the police, the incident might have been avoided.”
Malou was fined $1500 and placed on a 12-month good behavior bond. It is known his partner and child at the moment are living in Sudan.