An irritable passenger reportedly offended by security questions was arraigned today on charges he told Logan Airport officials he was an al-Qaeda terrorist here to “blow things up.”
Ermyas Asfaw, 27, of Washington, D.C., posted $1,500 cash bail after pleading innocent in East Boston District court to a single charge of false communication of an explosive device.
Massport officials tell the Herald Asfaw had a ticket on his bag from Dubai of the United Arab Emirates and security began asking him questions Saturday night.
“He seemed aggravated and said ‘I’m al-Qaeda and I’m here to blow things up,’ ” said Massport spokesman Phil Orlandella.
Orlandella said the man, a native of Ethiopia, was taken into custody at the AirTran gate Saturday night at 7:15 p.m.
Massport officials say Asfaw was heading to Baltimore and listed his occupation as self-employed taxi driver. Court records state he is a student at the University of Washington and was in Boston to visit a girlfriend.
State police confronted Asfaw after he appeared to become annoyed with security questions. That’s when he lashed out, officials say.
Airport officials say they are treating the threats seriously, yet they believe his boasts were not credible.
Massport officials sent a clear message today, however, praising airport workers and condemning "dumb" behavior in the international airport.
“This airport is not going to tolerate any outrageous threats of using a bomb or identifying themselves with a terrorist organization,” said Orlandella.
This is the second bomb scare at Logan in the past two weeks. An MIT student, Star Simpson, 19, reportedly walked into the airport last month with a circuit board strapped to her chest and carrying a glob of Play-Doh. Her unusual behavior also sent the airport into a terror alert.
She too was arrested and faces charges.
As for Asfaw, he is due back in court Oct. 19 for a pre-trial hearing. Prosecutors had asked for $10,000 bail saying the suspect has an out-of-state fugitive charge.
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