Italian Tourist Arrested for Bomb Joke at Manila's Airport

May 10, 2007
When told to empty his pockets, Fabrizio Salvini, 58, said, "I have three nuclear bombs in my pocket and I belong to the group of bin Laden."

MANILA, Philippines -- An Italian tourist was arrested at Manila's airport after cracking a joke that police did not find funny - that he had three nuclear bombs in his pocket and was part of Osama bin Laden's terror group.

Airport security had asked Fabrizio Salvini, 58, to empty his pockets at the final check before he was to board a Cathay Pacific flight for Hong Kong late Wednesday, when he was quoted as saying: "I have three nuclear bombs in my pocket and I belong to the group of bin Laden."

Police Senior Superintendent Efren Labiang said Thursday that a complaint was filed against Salvini before the prosecutor of suburban Pasay City for violation of a decree against making false bomb threats.

The Italian was being detained while awaiting a court commitment order to be able to post bail, Labiang said.

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